Virgin Australia’s luck appears to have turned. After a few grey days late last year when the new CEO’s alliance plans were looking ragged, the Group has now received what will almost certainly be formal approval to operate closely with Delta, sharing capacity scheduling, frequency and pricing plans. This will allow the two to cooperate closely both on their Australia-US gateways and behind those gateways on each others’ domestic services. This is another – vital – step in Mr Borghetti’s plans to expand Australia’s rebranded second airline into a global player through partnerships, as well as gradual organic growth.