VIRGIN Blue Group has expanded its codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines as it awaits a decision on a closer alliance with the US giant.
The Australian airline group, which is due to unveil its new branding on Wednesday, will see Virgin codeshare on Delta flights to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Detroit.
Delta will also have its reservation code on flights on a range of Australian and New Zealand flights including Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Auckland and Christchurch.
Virgin said kit was still waiting for a decision from the US Department of Transportation on its application for antitrust immunity on a wider marketing alliance.
Delta is the key part of a Virgin's strategy to establish and an expanded overseas network as part of its push to attract more corporate customers.
The group has already set up agreements with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad and Air New Zealand.
The US DoT initially indicated it was poised to reject the alliance but Virgin subsequently provided more information in an attempt to reverse it.
The airline had hoped for a decision by now but comments today suggest it may still be some time away.
"We have submitted all the information requested by the US Department of Transportation and we hope to hear the outcome in the next few months," Virgin Blue group executive of corporate advisory Merren McArthur said.
