Delta Air Lines is set to significantly boost capacity on its Melbourne–Los Angeles route, moving to daily flights over the 2026–27 peak summer period in response to strong transpacific demand. The upgrade will give Victorian travellers more choice and flexibility for both holidays and business trips to the United States, while strengthening competition on one of Australia’s most important long-haul corridors.
More Flights Between Melbourne and LA
Delta currently operates three weekly year-round services between Melbourne (MEL) and Los Angeles (LAX), but will progressively add frequencies from October 2026. From 13 October 2026 (Australia time), the airline will lift services from three to four flights per week, before increasing to five weekly flights from 27 October 2026.
The real milestone comes from 22 December 2026, when Delta will ramp up to daily operations through to March 2027, capturing both the southern summer and the busy northern winter holiday travel window. After the peak period ends, the route is expected to revert to its current three-times-weekly schedule, maintaining year-round connectivity while matching seasonal demand.
Flight Numbers and Schedule Details
The incremental increases will apply in both directions on flights DL012 (Melbourne–Los Angeles) and DL011 (Los Angeles–Melbourne). Under the revised schedule, the Melbourne–Los Angeles leg will operate four times weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) from mid-October, expanding to five weekly services (Tuesday through Friday and Sunday) from late October.
The Los Angeles–Melbourne return flights will mirror these changes, stepping up from three to four and then five services per week over the same period, before moving to daily operations during the peak 22 December 2026–March 2027 window. Delta has not announced any changes to aircraft type or cabin configuration as part of the expanded schedule, so customers can expect a consistent onboard product as frequencies increase.
Delta’s Growing Footprint in Australia
Delta’s Melbourne–LAX route launched in December 2025, marking a key step in the carrier’s renewed focus on the Australian and South Pacific market. The service complements Delta’s existing flights from Los Angeles to Sydney and other regional destinations, feeding into its major hub at LAX with extensive onward connections across the United States.
For Melbourne and Victoria, the move to daily flights underscores growing demand for premium and leisure travel between Australia and North America, and adds further competition alongside Qantas and United on the transpacific. With more frequencies, travellers will benefit from greater fare availability, more choice of travel dates, and smoother connections to cities throughout the U.S. via Delta’s Los Angeles hub.
What It Means for Travellers
For leisure travellers, the daily Melbourne–Los Angeles schedule over peak summer makes it easier to lock in US holidays, family visits, and West Coast city breaks during one of the busiest times of the year. Corporate travellers and frequent flyers will also gain from improved flexibility, with more departure options across the week and better alignment with meetings, conferences, and connecting flights in North America.
As Delta grows its presence down under, the expanded Melbourne–LAX operation is poised to become a key transpacific link, offering consistent service, competitive pricing, and a strong alternative to existing carriers on the route. For Victorians eyeing the USA from late 2026 into early 2027, daily Delta flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles will make crossing the Pacific more convenient than ever.
