Delta Launches ATL-LAX-SYD!

[ChrisW]

We are launching daily one-stop service between Atlanta and Sydney via LAX from 01Jul, subject to government approval. Note the flight numbers, which were previously used on JFK-BOM, BOM-JFK. Flights will be operated with 777-200LR equipment. Delta is now the only U.S. airline since PanAm to fly to all habitable continents.

Delta Air Lines 17
Depart: 7:00 PM Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive: 8:40 PM (LAX)
Duration: 4 hr 40 min
Time between flights: 2 hr 0 min

Delta Air Lines 17
Depart: 10:40 PM Los Angeles (LAX)
Arrive: 6:40 AM Sydney (SYD)
Duration: 15 hr 0 min
This flight arrives 2 days after departure

Delta Air Lines 16
Depart: 9:15 AM Sydney (SYD)
Arrive: 6:00 AM Los Angeles (LAX)
Duration: 13 hr 45 min
Time between flights: 1 hr 40 min

Delta Air Lines 16
Depart: 7:40 AM Los Angeles (LAX)
Arrive: 2:55 PM Atlanta (ATL)
Duration: 4 hr 15 min

[JetBlueAirwaysFan]

Wow!!! This is great! Maybe now I will actually consider going to Australia sometime! I've thought a lot about going down under in the past.

[cancidas]

i would have thought this would be a perfect route for the 744 instead of HNL. well, at least the LAX-SYD leg would be. but then again DAL could bring back the days of transcon 747s... then again, i guess that's why i'm not an airline CEO.

[JetBlueAirwaysFan]

When is DL going to formally announce this new service?

[Winglets747]

I had a feeling this was coming ever since CO said SYD was "eventually" going to happen and then announced it was withdrawing from SkyTeam.

Great news from a FFP perspective if you're traveling in Y. QF's Aus-US only gets 50% on AA, UA gets 100% but you have to deal with an uncomfortable flight and higher reward thresholds, and V Australia will get some credit but in its less generous program.

I still have issues with DL in terms of who they are as a company, but this is another alternative for going Aus-US and should prove to add to the recent influx of competition and lower fares.

Will the 777 operate the ATL-LAX segments or will it just be based at LAX?

[ChrisW]

I had a feeling this was coming ever since CO said SYD was "eventually" going to happen and then announced it was withdrawing from SkyTeam.

CO already flies to Australia, albeit to Cairns with CO Mike.

Will the 777 operate the ATL-LAX segments or will it just be based at LAX?

The 77L will operate ATL-LAX, LAX-ATL segments, yes.

[ChrisW]

When is DL going to formally announce this new service?

http://news.delta.com/article_display.c ... e_id=11199

[JetBlueAirwaysFan]

Thanks Chris.

[mirrodie]

Jetbluefan, if you are in NY, and considering Australia, haven't you considered QF? Their QF 107/108 service in Y is really good.

[ChrisW]

Jetbluefan, if you are in NY, and considering Australia, haven't you considered QF? Their QF 107/108 service in Y is really good.

What's this? Advertising for a non-Skyteam airline in a Delta thread? Blasphemous! 8)

Just kidding. I've been considering a trip to Australia on the QF A380 from LAX...

[mirrodie]

Jetbluefan, if you are in NY, and considering Australia, haven't you considered QF? Their QF 107/108 service in Y is really good.

What's this? Advertising for a non-Skyteam airline in a Delta thread? Blasphemous! 8)

Just kidding. I've been considering a trip to Australia on the QF A380 from LAX...

Not at all. Its just that jetbluefan's comment to visit Australia reads as if there was no service to Australia prior to DLs announcement.

Not spiting DL at all. Typically, I prefer non-US airlines on international trips. YMMV. But it service levels on US metal improve to that of international Y, I might look into it.