Manila, Philippines. Photo: Shutterstock Delta Air Lines continues to expand its operations in the Asia-Pacific region and announces a new destination in its route network: Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The airline will launch nonstop flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Manila (MNL) for the first time in its history.
The new route is expected to begin operating on March 28, 2027, and according to Delta, upon its launch, it will be the only American airline to offer direct flights between Los Angeles and Manila.
In the first phase, the line will operate with a frequency of three weekly flights, and starting June 7, 2027, Delta plans to increase operations to a daily flight.
The flights will be operated using the wide-body flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft, featuring four service classes: Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort and Delta Main.
Manila is considered one of the most important commercial and cultural centers in Southeast Asia and the main international gateway to the Philippines. The new line is expected to strengthen connectivity between Southern California and the Philippines and allow for more convenient access for onward travel throughout the island nation.
The move is part of a major expansion for Delta from Los Angeles. At its peak, the airline operates more than 160 daily flights from LAX to more than 50 destinations. In the past year, it has expanded its network from the airport with new flights to Hong Kong, Melbourne and Chicago, returned to Shanghai and announced additional routes, including Vancouver, Newark and now Manila.
The new route also expands Delta’s joint venture with Korean Air. Along with the new direct flight, passengers will also be able to continue to reach the Philippines via Seoul’s Incheon Airport, from where Korean Air operates several daily flights to Manila.
Delta is also continuing to invest in LAX as a major hub on the West Coast. The airport recently became the first in the company's network to operate two Delta One lounges, and by 2028, the company plans to operate four dedicated lounge complexes there.
Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK