This week we talk a bit about the newly-approved Delta Air Lines/Virgin Atlantic JV. The two airlines begin codesharing next week. We’re now officially also taking bets on how long it will be before the “Virgin” brand is more or less “melded” into the Delta brand.

As I’ve mentioned before, feedback from my corporate business travel groups continue to indicate that the Virgin product is “tired.” I’d say the main reason: lack of money to spend.

One thing’s for sure. Virgin does have nice slots at Heathrow.

In other news, we’ve been monitoring the operational performance of the major players this month — to see how they are coping with the busy summer season. Last year United Airlines fell down on the job. This year — American Airlines is turning in abysmal operational performance numbers.