Delta sets New Zealand debut with Auckland-Los Angeles flights

The move will see it go head to head with Air New Zealand on the trans-Pacific route.

By Chris Ashton, January 23 2023
Delta sets New Zealand debut with Auckland-Los Angeles flights

Delta Air Lines is primed to make a big splash in New Zealand this year, with the launch of a new non-stop flight between Auckland and Los Angeles – a first for the US carrier – set to take wing from October 30.

Rather than testing the waters with a few departures a week, the SkyTeam member is diving right in, introducing a daily Airbus A350 service: DL64 from Auckland, and DL65 from Los Angeles.

Well-timed for travellers connecting on Delta’s extensive US domestic network, the schedule is as follows:

  • DL64 jets off from Auckland at 3pm, with touchdown in the City of Angels at a cheery 6:05am
  • On the return, DL65 sees wheels up from LAX at 10:30pm, before arriving into Auckland at 8:35am

Air New Zealand is the only other airline offering a non-stop connection on Auckland to LA, with the Star Alliance member jetting off nine-times-weekly on its Business Premier-equipped 777.

American Airlines flies Auckland-Dallas/Fort Worth, while United jets off to San Francisco.

[An earlier version of this article noted the inclusion of Delta One business class suites. While the airline’s flagship A350 feature the suite, the A350 on this route will instead be a retrofitted ex-LATAM aircraft. A spokesperson tells Executive Traveller the aircraft is undergoing modifications to bring it up to Delta A350 standard.] 

Delta’s new Kiwi connection complements its 10-times weekly Sydney to Los Angeles service, giving Australian travellers an additional option to reach the city.

In LA, Delta One guests have access to the Hollywood-inspired Delta Sky Club at LAX, opened in April 2022 as part of a terminal transformation. The jewel of the Club is its Sky Deck, an all-weather terrace offering premium drinks and panoramic views.

Due for completion this year, the ‘Delta Sky Way at LAX’ transformation project also includes centralised check-in, security and baggage claim, linking Terminals 2, 3 and Tom Bradley International to create “a seamless passenger experience”.

The A350's used on this route will be the ex-LATAM ones, so correct, no Premium but business actually won't be the Delta One Suites. These 350's have the older 2-2-2 layout, a huge downgrade from the flagship ones we see go to SYD with Premium and D1 suites.

QF

04 Apr 2014

Total posts 209

But still better than the terrible Air New Zealand business offering.

Really glad to hear about this, even if its the downgraded 35L plane. Delta did say that they will these ultimately bring inline with current cabins. What I wish Delta would do is codeshare with LATAM on the AKL-SYD flight, especially after losing the VA partnership and creating the joint venture agreement with LATAM recently. Time will tell if Delta has plans to further invest in this market. I hope so!


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