Delta to launch first nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Manila in 2027

Delta Air Lines is preparing to introduce nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport beginning March 28, 2027. This marks Delta’s first direct flights on this route and positions the carrier as the only US airline to fly nonstop between these two major cities. The initial schedule calls for three weekly departures from Los Angeles and from Manila before expanding to daily frequencies in June 2027.

The new service will feature Delta’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft, a modern twin-engine widebody configured with four cabin classes. Passengers will find accommodations ranging from Delta One suites with flat-bed seats and privacy doors to economy seating, all equipped with seatback entertainment and, for SkyMiles members, free onboard Wi-Fi. This deployment signals Delta’s intent to offer a premium transpacific product to the growing market between Southern California and the Philippines.

Until now, Philippine Airlines has been the only airline providing nonstop service between Los Angeles and Manila, holding a virtual monopoly on the route from the US side. United Airlines connects these cities through a layover at San Francisco International Airport rather than nonstop service. Delta’s entry represents a significant competitive development in this international corridor, increasing options for travelers.

Delta’s expansion to Manila is part of a strategic shift toward making Los Angeles its primary West Coast hub for transpacific flights, moving away from former reliance on Seattle for Asia-Pacific routes. In recent months, Delta has added nonstop flights from Los Angeles to destinations such as Hong Kong and Melbourne, reinstated service to Shanghai, and unveiled plans for routes to Vancouver and Newark. This network growth underlines LAX’s rising importance in Delta’s global strategy.

The airline’s joint venture with Korean Air also factors into this growth plan, providing passengers with options to connect via Seoul’s Incheon Airport, a major gateway with frequent flights to Manila operated by Korean Air. This partnership complements Delta’s new direct flights, offering greater connectivity across the Asia Pacific region and reinforcing Delta’s market presence.

Delta’s intention to launch nonstop flights to Manila was formally revealed through filings with the US Department of Transportation earlier in the year. The airline requested regulators delay approval of a Philippine Airlines proposal to start Chicago-Manila flights until fair reciprocal access to airport slots in Manila was guaranteed for US carriers. This demonstrates Delta’s careful approach to securing equitable operational conditions on the route.

Delta had previously served the Philippine market through connecting flights via Tokyo and Seoul prior to suspending these routes in 2021. The direct Los Angeles-Manila service represents a clear step toward rebuilding and expanding the carrier’s footprint in this important transpacific travel corridor.

The move is also significant in the context of growing passenger demand and expanding air travel links post-pandemic. Delta’s launch of this nonstop route will not only enhance convenience for US and Filipino travelers but also intensify competition on a route long dominated by the Philippine flag carrier. The entry of a major US airline with a modern widebody aircraft and a multi-cabin product is likely to impact market dynamics for premium and economy travelers alike.