Three’s The Perfect Number – Delta Announces Third Australian Flight to Melbourne

Delta is poised to have quite the eventful second half of the year in terms of route network. The Atlanta-based airline announced just a few days ago a network expansion to the east into west and northern Africa. Now, it's time to talk about a west-ward expansion that will see Delta set up its third destination in Australia. Let's talk about this new service and all its details.

That Makes it Three: Delta to Launch Los Angeles Melbourne Flights, Australia in 2025

Australia and the US have strong cultural and economic ties. Taking this into account it's quite surprising to see that Delta, America's largest airline, only currently serves 2 cities. It's all the more surprising to find out that in that very short list Melbourne is not included yet. Currently Delta only serves:

• Sydney
• Brisbane

Both destinations, just as Melbourne will once launched, are served from Delta's western hub at Los Angeles' LAX international airport. The flight will operate as DL11 and will commence operations in December 2025.

The new service will have a 3x weekly frequency. Delta is, therefore, not going all out on this new service but instead it's more tipping its toes in the water to see what it's like. Those 3 weekly flights will connect Los Angeles to Melbourne every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with this schedule:

• DL11: Departs Los Angeles (LAX) at 21:25, arriving next day in Melbourne (MEL) at 08:15.
• DL12: Departs Melbourne (MEL) at 10:25, arriving at Los Angeles (LAX) at 6:10.

This is a proper long range flight for Delta, on the verge of being a ULR service, particularly on the outbound sector. Flight time clocks in at 15 hours 50 minutes for DL11 from Los Angeles to Melbourne and a slightly shorter 14 hours 45 minutes for the return sector. Also, as the flight will cross the international date line, the flight will arrive before its departure time on the same day. There's that as a brain teaser.

Delta Going Head to Head With United and Qantas on Los Angeles to Melbourne Route

Although Delta will only be launching its Los Angeles to Melbourne DL11 service in December 2025, there are already a couple of options available for travelers right now to make the journey.

As of March 2025 flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne are already served by:

• Qantas (QF93)
• United Airlines (UA99)

Therefore, Delta is going to have to distinguish itself from the competition in some how to win over market share. Both these other two airlines already serve the destination on a daily basis, making them well established forces in this market. Qantas, among the two, also uses its A380s on this route, and we all know how much more comfortable that particular aircraft is.

In other words it's not going to be a walk in the park for Delta to become successful on this route. We'll have to wait reports in 2026 to find out if the Atlanta-based airline will be able to make it turn a profit.

Using Its Flagship Aircraft For The New Los Angeles Melbourne Route: The A350

Delta won't be able to rely on the A380, it doesn't own any of the type, however it will be sending out on flight DL11 from Los Angeles to Melbourne its most advanced aircraft. The Airbus A350-900 will be the aircraft of choice for this new service. Not as spacious as the A380 but a very close second.

The A350-900 features the airline's most recent and up to date cabin product. Starting from business class, Delta A350s feature the stunning Delta One Suites which offer fantastic privacy and comfort thanks to lie-flat beds, spacious interiors and a privacy door.

Further away from the pointy end of the aircraft the cabins remain also very nice with the latest versions of Premium and Economy Class. Travelers on the Los Angeles to Melbourne route will be the judges, with their $, which product is the best.

LAX The Home To One Of Three Exclusive Delta One Lounges

Making segway from Delta One Suite to the ground experience, passengers traveling in the airline's premium cabin will also have access to what is effectively the most luxurious in-airport pre flight experience. Los Angeles LAX international airport is home to one of only three Delta One lounges. A fourth lounge is in the making and will come online sometime soon this year being located in Seattle. The remaining two lounges are situated in:

• New York JFK (JFK)
• Boston Logan (BOS)