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Delta Announces Nonstop Flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne

The new route, set to launch in December this year, will be the third-longest on Delta's network

by Fergus Cole

February 3, 2025

Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

Delta is launching nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Melbourne later this year, with the nearly 8,000-mile journey set to be the airline’s third-longest route yet.

Beginning on December 3, 2025, Delta will launch a three-weekly service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Melbourne (MEL).

Flight Details and Schedule

The new flight’s dates, departure times and frequencies are as follows:

RouteDeparture TimeArrival TimeDeparture Days
Los Angeles → Melbourne9:25 PM (PST)8:15 AM (Local)Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Melbourne → Los Angeles10:25 AM (Local)6:10 AM (PST)Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

Delta is set to use its flagship, the Airbus A350-900 aircraft, to operate the route, which will be kitted out with the airline’s all-new cabin design.

Photo: Delta Air Lines, Airbus A350-900. Courtesy of Delta

The new-look aircraft will have a total capacity of 275 passengers, including 40 Delta One business class seats, 40 premium economy seats, 36 economy seats with extra legroom, and the remaining 159 as standard economy seats.

With a distance of around 7,921 miles between Los Angeles and Melbourne, the new route will become Delta’s third-longest across its global network.

Currently, the longest flights on its network are from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), which is 8,433 miles away, and from ATL to Cape Town International Airport (CPT), at a distance of 8,127 miles.

Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

The new service will also become Delta’s third route Down Under, adding to existing flights from LAX to Sydney (SYD) and a seasonal service from LAX to Brisbane (BNE).

Impact on Tourism and Business

However, Delta will face competition from United and Australian flag carrier Qantas on the LAX-Melbourne route. United also serves Melbourne from San Francisco (SFO), while Qantas offers flights from Melbourne to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Honolulu (HNL) in addition to LAX.

Melbourne / Photo: Momo11353/AdobeStock

“Delta is one of the largest airlines in the world and is consistently rated one of North America’s best carriers, so we’re thrilled to have them adding Melbourne to their network because of the opportunities it presents for Victorians and Victorian business,” said Lorie Argus, CEO of Melbourne Airport.

“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.”