Delta-KLM Joint Venture Codeshare Rules
The Delta KLM codeshare joint venture (also covering Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and Kenya Airways) is one of the largest transatlantic alliances. Here is how claim responsibility, EU261 applicability, and rebooking work across the four carriers in 2026.
The Delta-KLM Joint Venture Structure
Delta KLM codeshare is part of a four-carrier transatlantic joint venture: Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, and Virgin Atlantic. Kenya Airways participates on select Africa routes. The JV shares revenue, pricing, and scheduling across all transatlantic flights between North America, Europe, UK, and select Africa routes.
The operating carrier determines claim responsibility, not the marketing carrier. Read your boarding pass: the airline flying the plane owns the delay/cancel liability under both DOT and EU261.
Jurisdiction Map by Flight Direction
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US to EU on Delta metal: DOT rules apply (ticket refund on 3+ hr delay, 6+ international). EU261 compensation does not apply (operating carrier is US-based).
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US to EU on KLM or AF metal: DOT applies for the refund + EU261 applies for compensation (operating carrier is EU-based).
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EU to US on any JV metal: EU261 applies fully. Refund also recoverable if flight is cancelled or delayed 5+ hours.
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US to UK on Virgin Atlantic metal: DOT + UK261 applies.
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UK to US on Virgin Atlantic metal: UK261 fully applies.
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UK to US on Delta metal: DOT (US-based operating carrier), UK261 limited.
How Codeshare Flight Numbers Work
A JFK-AMS flight might be sold by Delta as DL 58, by KLM as KL 6058, and by Air France as AF 8458. The actual aircraft is operated by one carrier. Your boarding pass shows both the marketing flight number and the operating carrier.
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Delta-operated: Delta Boeing 767 or A330.
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KLM-operated: KLM Boeing 777 or 787.
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Air France-operated: Air France Boeing 777 or A350.
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Virgin Atlantic-operated: Virgin Boeing 787 or A350.
Rebooking Across JV Carriers
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Disruption on Delta: rebook on Delta first; JV partners if needed; SkyTeam broader.
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Disruption on KLM: rebook on KLM, AF, DL, VS seamlessly.
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Fare class equivalence: JV partners map classes bilaterally.
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Elite status honored across JV: SkyTeam tier recognized.
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Virgin Atlantic status: interoperable with Delta Sky Club access.
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Baggage allowance: follows the most restrictive leg on the ticket.
Who Pays Your Claim
Primary liability falls on the operating carrier. If Delta operates a flight sold by Air France, Delta is primarily responsible under DOT. If Air France operates a flight sold by Delta, Air France is primarily responsible under EU261.
See interline ticket vs codeshare ticket differences, codeshare marketing carrier vs operating carrier legal definitions, and SkyTeam codeshare rebooking rules.
Example Claim Scenarios
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JFK to AMS, booked as DL 58, operated by KLM, delayed 5 hr: File with KLM for EU261 EUR 600 + DOT refund eligible.
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LAX to CDG, booked as AF 79, operated by Delta, delayed 4 hr: File with Delta for DOT refund. EU261 does not apply (US-based operating).
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LHR to JFK, booked as DL 4, operated by Virgin, delayed 4 hr: File with Virgin under UK261 GBP 520 + DOT refund.
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AMS to SFO, booked as KL 605, operated by KLM, cancelled: File with KLM under EU261 EUR 600 + ticket refund.
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JFK to LHR, booked as VS 4, operated by Delta, delayed 5 hr: File with Delta under DOT. UK261 does not apply (US-based operating to UK arrival; UK261 does apply to UK carriers landing at UK, but Delta landing in UK on this direction triggers UK261 on a narrower basis; check specific carrier rule).
Pillar Link and Authority Sources
For the pillar see Codeshare Flight Rights: Which Airline Responsible. For primary sources see DOT Codeshare Guidance, European Commission EU261, and SkyTeam Joint Venture Agreements.
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