Delta Air Lines is knuckling down on Australia operation, confirming new seasonal services between Los Angeles and Melbourne will kick off in early December 2025.
The Melbourne route will complement Delta’s long-standing flights to Sydney and its Brisbane route which debuted two months ago.
The Atlanta-based carrier’s introduction of Brisbane and then Melbourne was foreshadowed exclusively by LATTE in November 2023.
EXCLUSIVE: Delta eyes Melbourne and Brisbane
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Delta’s new LAX/MEL route will be operated by its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900. The 275-seat aircraft offers four different experiences: Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin. Passengers are able to take advantage of the US carrier’s premium facilities at LAX, including the world-class Delta One Lounge.
Delta will be the first airline to fly the Airbus A350 non-stop between Melbourne and the United States.
Lorie Argus, CEO of Melbourne Airport lauded Delta Air Lines’ decision to fly to the Victorian capital, saying the new services “will help bring hundreds of extra visitors to our state each week, which will help support Victoria’s world-class tourism, dining and hospitality venues.”
“North America is an incredibly important inbound market for us, and we’re proud to be partnering with Visit Victoria to help restore capacity on the Los Angeles route and incentivise North American tourists to make Melbourne their first stop.
“The arrival of a new carrier on the route will also make it easier for Victorian businesses to connect with one of our key trading partners and Victorian families wanting to travel to Disneyland or North American ski fields.”
The first outbound flight from Los Angeles will depart on 3 December 2025. The first flight departing Melbourne will be on 5 December 2025.
Flights will depart LAX at 9:25 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and arrive in Melbourne at 8:15 am (+2 days). Return flights will depart MEL at 10:25 am on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing in Los Angeles at 6:10 am the same day.
From LAX, Delta offers over 150 peak-day departures to nearly 60 destinations. For travellers coming from Melbourne, Delta provides convenient connections to more than 40 cities across the U.S., including major hubs like New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Seattle (SEA), and Atlanta (ATL).
Delta One customers can enjoy the Delta One Lounge at LAX, featuring seating for nearly 200 guests, premium food and beverage offerings, one-on-one hospitality, a wellness area, and more. The lounge is conveniently connected to the dedicated Delta One Check-in, complete with white-glove service and private TSA screening, allowing guests to move from curb to lounge in minutes. Digital ID at LAX allows eligible customers to check bags and move through security without showing a physical ID, providing a more streamlined way to navigate the airport.
Delta’s USD $2.3 billion transformation at LAX features the Sky Way at LAX and the modern 27-gate Terminal 3. Highlights include a centralised check-in lobby, an expanded security checkpoint, and Delta Sky Club.
