Delta will soon start flying to a second city in Australia, opening up more options for travelers looking to get to the land down under.
On Friday, the Atlanta-based airline announced it's launching nonstop flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Brisbane (BNE) beginning Dec. 4, 2024. This new seasonal route will operate three days a week and run through March 28, 2025.
The new 7,161-mile route will be operated three times per week by an Airbus A350-900 featuring 306 total seats, including 32 Delta One Suites and 48 of the airline's premium economy seats, dubbed Premium Select. Tickets for this new route go on sale tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 24.
Delta currently operates daily service between Los Angeles and Sydney (SYD), so this new route adds yet another destination in Australia for U.S.-based travelers. Delta has been steadily growing its network in the South Pacific over the last several years, launching daily service from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) last October, and three-times-weekly flights to Tahiti (PPT) in December 2022.
“With this addition of Brisbane, Delta’s upcoming winter schedule will offer our customers up to 17 weekly flights between the U.S. and Australia.” Joe Esposito, Delta's Senior Vice President of Network Planning, said in a statement. “This marks our most extensive schedule to the South Pacific to date, and as we build our presence in the region, we know our customers will enjoy the enhanced experience consistently provided by Delta.”
Brisbane is Australia's third-most populous city, with its proximity to the famed Gold Coast making it a great jumping-off point for anyone looking to enjoy the region's sandy beaches and top-notch surfing.
Delta will have some competition on its new LAX to BNE route from Australia's flag carrier Qantas, which operates year-round between the two cities. United launched seasonal service to Brisbane from Los Angeles last year, too, but the airline cut its schedule short due to demand. United plans to resume flights three times per week next winter, also beginning on Dec. 4. That could be a good thing for customers, though: When airlines compete, it almost always results in cheaper fares.
Bottom Line
Delta just announced a new seasonal route to Brisbane, Australia (BNE), beginning later this year. This new flight bolsters its South Pacific network flying nonstop from its Los Angeles (LAX) hub.
Tickets for the new Los Angeles to Brisbane route go on sale tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 24.
Too late. Since they cancelled routes, I cobbled together two trips to Asia and one to Australia without Delta’s help. I probably won’t need to go again.