Delta Air Lines has begun flying direct between Los Angeles and Melbourne, a move the Victorian Government says will strengthen tourism, trade and the reach of Victoria’s events calendar. The first Airbus A350-900 touched down this week, greeted by Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks and Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus. It marks the start of three weekly services operating on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The route adds 86,000 seats a year between Victoria and the United States. Travellers flying through LAX will be able to connect to more than 40 destinations across the US and Latin America, creating a wider bridge between the two markets at a time when demand for long-haul travel remains strong. The service will offer four cabin classes and extra freight capacity, giving Victorian exporters more direct access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
According to the Government, the flight deal is backed by its 7 million dollar Industry Partnership Program, which aims to support new links that build Victoria’s visitor economy. Minister Brooks said, “This deal delivers an extra 86,000 seats a year between Victoria and the United States – a huge win for travellers and tourism operators, and a major boost for jobs with more freight capacity opening new opportunities for producers across food, technology and manufacturing.”
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the new route will lift visibility in one of Victoria’s most valuable markets. “We’re making it even easier for Americans to choose Victoria. From our incredible regional destinations to our world-class events, this new deal will strengthen one of our most important visitor markets and support jobs right across the state.”
Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements said the Industry Partnership Program is helping businesses respond to growing interest in the state. “The Industry Partnership Program is creating opportunities for Victorian businesses to convert demand into visitors – growing our record 43.7 billion dollar visitor economy, which supports hundreds of thousands of jobs.”
Airport boss Lorie Argus said the service arrives as Melbourne gears up for one of its busiest summer periods. “Delta’s arrival in Melbourne means better connections between Victoria and North America, more choice for local travellers and exporters as well as more seats to bring American tourists into our state.” She added, “Melbourne Airport is expecting its busiest summer on record for international travel, thanks in part to the additional capacity provided by Delta to the important North American market.”
The United States supplied more than 200,000 visitors to Victoria in the year ending June 2025, contributing 385 million dollars in spending and 1.9 million nights across the state. With Melbourne preparing to host its first NFL Regular Season game, the timing of the route is likely to sharpen the city’s appeal among American travellers looking for reasons to visit.
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