Among a host of moves, Delta will return to Manchester with a route to Boston as well as joining forces with Virgin at Gatwick for the first time.

Meanwhile, Virgin will increase its US capacity from both Gatwick and Heathrow for summer 2020.

Delta will offer flights from Gatwick for the first time since 2012 when it launches a daily service from Boston on 22 May 2020, while Virgin will start a Gatwick-New York JFK service on 21 May.

At Heathrow, Delta and Virgin’s capacity to New York JFK will rise 15% with a total of eight daily flights (five operated by Virgin and three by Delta). The route will also be the first to use Virgin’s new A350 aircraft from next month including the airline’s new cabins.

Virgin will also increase frequencies on Heathrow routes to Seattle and Los Angeles next summer.

Delta’s return to Manchester sees the US carrier taking over Virgin’s current route to Boston from 21 May 2020, with the summer service rising from three per week to daily.

Virgin will continue to operate flights from Manchester to Atlanta, New York JFK, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Orlando.

Juha Jarvinen, executive vice president, commercial, at Virgin Atlantic, said: “Our announcement marks another phase of growth, both for our transatlantic network and for our partnership with Delta. 

“I’m delighted that between us, we’re increasing our presence across our hub airports of Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, reaffirming our commitment to provide our customers with more choice, convenient schedules and an unrivalled customer experience across the Atlantic.

“Our increased services to Los Angeles and Seattle further cement our commitment to our west coast flights, which follow the introduction of our exceptionally popular Manchester–Los Angeles route that launched earlier this year.”