Delta /Virgin Australia Logos
Delta customers will soon gain direct access to Melbourne, Australia, following an announcement by Joint Venture Partner (JVP); Virgin Australia of plans to launch nonstop service between Melbourne and Los Angeles in 2017.
The new route will strengthen the trans-Pacific network offered by Delta and its partner in the region.
According to the Delta’s Vice President, Sales, West Region, Ranjan Goswami, “Delta offers a truly superior network of international partners out of Los Angeles. Through our joint venture, Delta and Virgin Australia continue to differentiate ourselves as leading carriers in the U.S.-Australia market, from boosting our service to key destinations to mutually investing in a best-in-class customer experience.”
Beginning April 4, 2017, Virgin Australia will fly five times weekly between Melbourne and Los Angeles using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
The new flight complements existing service offered by Delta and Virgin Australia, who will together offer 25 weekly flights between Australia and the United States and round-trip connectivity from 230 destinations in the Americas to 49 destinations across Australia and New Zealand.
Virgin Australia Group Chief Executive Officer, John Borghetti, said, “The United States is a key market for Virgin Australia, and this enables us to offer direct services from Los Angeles to the three largest cities in Australia – Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.”
Delta’s premium cabin Delta One, alongside Virgin Australia’s business-class experience the Business, which was launched in June, distinguishes Delta and Virgin Australia as the only trans-Pacific alliance to consistently offer full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access in business class.
Delta has been the fastest-growing carrier at Los Angeles International Airport since 2009 and will embark next year on a relocation to Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX, enabling operation alongside Virgin Australia and many of its other airline partners.
The $1.9 billion plan to upgrade and connect the complex at Terminals 2 and 3 will create a premier partner hub that offers best-in-class check-in, faster connection times for seamless connectivity and an industry-leading customer experience.
Delta and Virgin Australia currently fly twice-daily from Los Angeles to Sydney and daily from Los Angeles to Brisbane.
