Delta rivals Qantas with Melbourne–LAX service

Delta will take on Qantas and local rival United to fly from Melbourne to Los Angeles at the end of 2025. The new LAX service will operate three times weekly from December using the carrier’s fleet of 275-seat A350-900 aircraft. The airline also hinted frequencies could increase later, with Qantas and Delta both flying the same route daily. “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,” said Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus. “The additional cargo capacity will enable more high-value Victorian exports to travel directly to North America, without the expense of a transit through Sydney.” LAX is one of the US’s most popular hub airports, providing onward connections to more than 190 domestic and international destinations. Delta alone flies to 40 local airports and is part of the international SkyTeam codeshare alliance with members including Air France, Virgin Atlantic and KLM. The new flights will depart the Victorian capital at 10:25 am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arrive in Los Angeles at 6:10 am local time the same day.<br/>