October 28, 2026 — London Heathrow plans to move Delta Air Lines from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 in 2028, separating it from joint-venture partner Virgin Atlantic, according to reports on October 27. The decision is not final: Heathrow had not issued a press release, and both airlines are reportedly weighing legal challenges.
What happened
The move comes from Heathrow’s terminal occupancy review, which it carries out about once a decade. Heathrow says the reshuffle will free up capacity, reduce congestion and help keep passenger costs down. InsideFlyer reported that Heathrow said airlines representing 81% of passengers supported the decision.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Delta, Finnair, Japan Airlines | Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 |
| China Southern | Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 |
| LATAM | Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 |
| Virgin Atlantic | Not listed as moving; appears to stay in Terminal 3 |
| Timing | 2028 (exact date TBA) |
Delta flies about 900,000 seats a year at Heathrow, more than twice as many as any other airline being moved. Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster objected, calling Terminal 4 “remotely located.” Delta had not commented at the time of reporting.
Delta and Virgin have shared Terminal 3 since 2016 to make transatlantic joint-venture connections easier. Delta holds a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic’s parent company, and both are in a joint venture with Air France and KLM — which already fly from Terminal 4.
Practical effects if it goes ahead
- Delta-to-Virgin connections would need an inter-terminal bus instead of a walk within one building.
- Heathrow Express does not stop at Terminal 4; rail passengers change at Terminals 2/3 for the free Elizabeth line hop.
- One Mile at a Time expects Delta passengers to lose access to Virgin’s Terminal 3 Clubhouse.
- Connections to Air France and KLM flights would become easier, since they are already in Terminal 4.
What it means for non-revs
- Nothing changes yet. Delta stays in Terminal 3 for now; the move is planned for 2028 and could still be challenged.
- Plan for longer connections later: If you route Delta to Virgin (or the reverse) through London after the move, allow extra time for the terminal bus — tight standby connections will get harder.
- A plus for Air France/KLM connections: Being in the same terminal as AF and KL would make SkyTeam connections in Terminal 4 easier.
Sources
- Aerocorner: Heathrow Will Move Delta to Terminal 4 in 2028, Splitting It From Partner Virgin Atlantic
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