WSJ: Delta Will Fly to London!!!

Delta to Buy United New York-London Route

By a WALL STREET JOURNAL Staff Reporter
July 29, 2006; Page A2

Delta Air Lines, Atlanta, said it has agreed to acquire a long-coveted New York-to-London route from United Airlines, Elk Grove Township, Ill., for as much as $21 million.
The daily route from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to London's Gatwick Airport falls short of the more lucrative route into London's tightly restricted Heathrow Airport. The deal is subject to approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Delta, the third-largest U.S. carrier in terms of passenger traffic, filed for bankruptcy-court protection last September. Delta says it will continue to lobby in favor of an Open Skies agreement that would allow Delta and other carriers locked out of Heathrow the right to fly there. Under the agreement with UAL Corp., United's parent, Delta would pay $13 million initially, plus four $2 million installments due annually through 2010. If Heathrow routes become available, Delta would discontinue the payments.