Delta Air Lines To Launch Flights From Los Angeles To Auckland

Delta Airlines (DL) looks to cash in on the Southern Hemisphere summer, as the airline plans to introduce its first-ever route to New Zealand, operating daily from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) direct to Auckland International Airport (AKL).

The airline looks to expand its Pacific reach, complementing the direct Delta services already offered from Los Angeles to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) and Papeete Faa’a International Airport, Tahiti (PPT).

An Airbus A350-900 is expected to operate the service to Aotearoa (New Zealand) seven days a week, seating 306 passengers. 32 in Delta One Business, 48 in premium economy, 36 in Delta Comfort, and 190 in the main cabin.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

More options from Los Angeles

Delta is deepening its relationship with the global hub of LAX. Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles World Airports, commented on the route announcement:

“LAX continues to grow its global network of destinations that are connecting Angelenos to every corner of the globe, and Delta’s addition of nonstop service from Los Angeles to New Zealand is in lockstep with the airline’s commitment to expand and improve service to our region,

“Coupled with Delta’s international additions to Sydney and Tahiti, this is another exciting result of the ongoing and strong collaboration between LAX and Delta Air Lines as we connect more people across the Pacific and beyond.”

Source: GCMap

On sale from January 21

Tickets for the route will go on sale from January 21, with the first flight set to take off southbound on October 28. As the Southern Hemisphere heads into warmer temperatures, it’s expected that Delta will hope to utilize LAX as a connection point from its North American network for those heading south.

Being the only US airline to operate directly from LAX to Auckland will undoubtedly face fierce competition from Air New Zealand. Auckland currently welcomes three other US carriers to its shores, United Airlines direct from San Francisco, American Airlines from Dallas, and Hawaiian Airlines direct from Honolulu.

Before the pandemic, American Airlines also offered a direct LAX to Auckland service, and this hasn’t materialized as travel restrictions have thawed. American (AA) was also poised to introduce the South Island’s first North American connection, from LAX directly to Christchurch International Airport (CHC); however, COVID-19 halted Christchurch’s aspirations.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Stiff competition from Air New Zealand

New Zealand’s flag carrier, Air New Zealand, has operated a route to Los Angeles for decades. Delta’s daily service will compete with Air NZ’s nine weekly services on its Boeing 777-300.

Below is a list of current direct options from North America to New Zealand:

Air Canada (AC)

• Seasonal service from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)

Air New Zealand (NZ)

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)
• Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)
• Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)
• New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)

American Airlines (AA)

• Seasonal service from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)

Delta Air Lines (DL)

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Auckland International Airport (AKL) – Commencing October 28

Source: GCMap

Hawaiian Airlines (HA)

• Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)

Qantas Airways (QF)

• New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Auckland International Airport (AKL) – Commencing June 14

United Airlines (UA)

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Auckland International Airport (AKL)