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Delta expands Australia footprint with first Melbourne flights launching in December

Feb. 03, 2025
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4 min read
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Delta expands Australia footprint with first Melbourne flights launching in December
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Delta Air Lines is expanding its footprint Down Under.

Later this year, the Atlanta-based carrier will launch new service to Melbourne, Australia.

The new route, originating from its West Coast hub at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), will give Delta an all-new destination — its third on the Australian continent.

Pro tips: 11 major mistakes people make with travel rewards credit cards

Ishrion Aviation was first to spot the new route, which a spokesperson for the carrier later confirmed to TPG.

COLBY KIRKPATRICK/THE POINTS GUY

Delta's L.A. to Melbourne flights

Delta’s new Australia route will launch this December, the airline said this weekend.

That’ll allow the carrier to ramp up its schedule over the Pacific right as peak travel season in Australia begins during the southern hemisphere’s summer season.

Notable about this route: Delta will operate its new flights between LAX and Melbourne Airport (MEL) with an Airbus A350-900 featuring its all-new cabin look, the carrier told TPG.

That new-plane smell: On board the first Delta Air Lines jet sporting its all-new cabin look

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TPG recently got a sneak peek at the overhauled interior aesthetic on board a newly delivered Airbus, featuring darker, sleeker seats and memory foam Delta One suites with softer cloth coverings.

SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

The aircraft sports Delta’s more premium-heavy configuration, with 40 Delta One suites, 40 Premium Select recliners and 36 Comfort+ seats (along with 159 seats in the main cabin).

Itinerary

Delta will fly its LAX-MEL route three times weekly during the peak season. Here’s what the itinerary will look like:

  • LAX-MEL: Departs 9:25 p.m. PST, arrives 8:15 a.m. local time (+2 days)
  • MEL-LAX: Departs 10:25 a.m. local time, arrives 6:10 a.m. PST (same day)

The flights begin Dec. 3.

More Delta news: Delta cuts 2 Central America routes, but restores 2 West Coast flights for summer 2025

How to fly to Melbourne from the US

Located in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, Melbourne will give Delta three destinations on the continent — all from its Southern California hub.

The airline already flies from LAX to both Sydney and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, this new route will give U.S. travelers a sixth nonstop link to Victoria’s capital, which is home to a variety of alluring points hotels such as the Ritz Carlton, Melbourne.

COLBY KIRKPATRICK/THE POINTS GUY

Current Melbourne flights from the U.S. include:

  • Qantas from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and LAX
  • United Airlines from LAX and San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Meanwhile, if you're hoping to use points or miles to book Delta's new flight to Melbourne, you have a few options. You can use frequent flyer miles in your SkyMiles account, and top them off with a welcome bonus from one of Delta's cobranded American Express credit cards.

Plus, American Express Membership Rewards transfer to the SkyMiles program 1:1.

Related reading:

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.