One of the world’s largest airlines has touched down in Victoria for the first time, with Delta Air Lines’ inaugural flight from Los Angeles landing at Melbourne Airport this morning.
Operated by a long-haul Airbus A350 aircraft, flight DL11 was met with a water cannon salute and a tarmac welcome from local indigenous dancers, heralding the start of what’s expected to be a record summer for international passenger numbers at Melbourne Airport.
Melbourne Airport is expecting more than seven million travellers expected across December and January, including more than 2.5 million international passengers.
Delta is the first airline to fly the A350 non-stop from Melbourne and the United States, with the 275-seat aircraft fitted with Delta’s four-class cabin, including 40 premium Delta One suites.
The inbound flight number DL11 and outbound flight number DL12 were chosen to honour Melbourne tram routes 11 and 12, which serve some of the city’s most famous precincts including St Kilda, Collins Street, Spring Street, Brunswick Street and Victoria Street.
The new flights will feed into Delta’s busy Los Angeles hub, where the airline is the largest premium carrier and provides convenient onward connections to more than 40 cities in the United States.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the arrival of Delta’s first Melbourne service was an exciting moment for both Victorian businesses and travellers.
“Delta is one of the largest airlines in the world and its network opens up incredible opportunities for trade and travel in both North and South America,” she said.
“This new service will help bring hundreds of extra visitors to our state each week, which will help support Victoria’s world-class tourism, dining and hospitality venues.
“North America is an incredibly important market for us, and we know that simply by being on Delta’s route map, more American tourists will be inclined to make Melbourne their first stop in Australia.
“With the Los Angeles Rams scheduled to play at the MCG from 2026, the additional capacity Delta is providing will help ensure Victoria can capitalise on the huge exposure the NFL will generate.
“Having Delta flying across the Pacific will also make it easier for Victorian businesses to connect with one of our key trading partners and Victorian families wanting to travel to Disneyland or North American ski fields.
“This will be a record summer of international travel for Melbourne Airport with more than 2.5 million people expected through our international terminal across December and January.
“We’d encourage anyone travelling over the next few weeks to plan ahead, book parking online and allow extra time to get to the airport and find a car park.
“We’re building the infrastructure we need to support growth from airlines like Delta, including our third runway which is due to open in 2031.”