Delta Air Lines Launches Los Angeles to Auckland Flights

Delta Air Lines Launches Los Angeles to Auckland Flights – Simple Flying

Business News / By / January 22, 2023
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The North American carrier plans to launch the airline’s first-ever route to New Zealand.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-900 Photo: Airbus

Delta Air Lines (DL) looks to capitalize on the summer in the southern hemisphere as the airline plans to launch its first-ever route to New Zealand, operating daily from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) direct to Auckland International Airport (AKL).

The airline is looking to expand its Pacific reach and complement Delta’s existing direct flights from Los Angeles to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) and Papeete Faa’a International Airport, Tahiti (PPT).

An Airbus A350-900 will serve the connection to Aotearoa (New Zealand) with 306 seats seven days a week. 32 in Delta One Business, 48 ​​in Premium Economy, 36 in Delta Comfort and 190 in the main cabin.

SIMPLEFLYING VIDEO OF THE DAYDelta Air Lines Airbus A350-900

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy flying

More options from Los Angeles

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

“LAX continues to expand its global network of destinations connecting Angelenos to every corner of the world, and Delta’s addition of non-stop service from Los Angeles to New Zealand is consistent with the airline’s commitment to expanding service in our region and to improve.

Along with Delta’s international additions in 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.”

LAX's Pacific Options

Source: GCMap

On sale from January 21st

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

As the only US airline to operate direct from LAX to Auckland, Air New Zealand will no doubt face stiff competition. Auckland currently welcomes three other US airlines 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 direct LAX service to Auckland, and that hasn’t materialized even as travel restrictions have thawed. American (AA) was also poised to introduce the South Island’s first North American service, from LAX direct to Christchurch International Airport (CHC); However, COVID-19 halted Christchurch’s aspirations.

Air New Zealand Boeing 777

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy flying

Tough competition from Air New Zealand

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

Below is a list of current direct services 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) – Starting October 28th
AKL USA routes

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) – Starting June 14th

United Airlines (UA)

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

What are your thoughts on Delta’s latest route Down Under? Let us know in the comments!

  • Delta A350 Delta Airlines

    IATA/ICAO Code: DL/DAL

    Type of airline: Full service carrier

    Stroke(s): Boston Logan International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

    Founding year: 1929

    Alliance: sky team

    CHAIRMAN: Ed Bastian

    Country: United States

  • Air New Zealand, Boeing 787, color edition Air New Zealand

    IATA/ICAO code: NZ/NO

    Type of airline: Full service carrier

    Stroke(s): Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, Wellington Airport

    Founding year: 1965

    Alliance: star alliance

    CHAIRMAN: Gregory Foran

    Country: New Zealand

  • Aerodrome - LAWA Brosseau - 4th Los Angeles International Airport

    IATA/ICAO code: LAX/CLAX

    Country: United States

    CHAIRMAN: Justin Erbacci

    number of passengers: 48.007.284 (2021)

    runways : 6L/24R – 2,721 m (8,926 ft) |6R/24L – 3,318 m (10,885 ft) |7L/25R – 3,939 m (12,923 ft) |7R/25L – 3,382 m (11,095 ft)

    Clamps: Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | Tom Bradley International Terminal | Terminal 4 | Terminal 5 | Terminal 6 | Terminal 7 | terminal 8