The airline becomes the only US airline to fly non-stop between Los Angeles and Manila, challenging Philippine Airlines on the route.
MANILA, Philippines – Delta Air Lines will begin flying non-stop between Los Angeles and Manila in March 2027, adding another US airline to the Philippine market.
The services will launch on March 28, 2027 with three flights a week before expanding to daily operations on June 7.
Delta will use the Airbus A350-900, offering premium service, comfort, premium economy and business class cabins.
Delta will be the only American airline to fly non-stop between Los Angeles LAX and Manila. Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). However, it will compete directly with Philippine Airlines, which increased its Manila-Los Angeles service from 14 to 18 weekly flights from June 2026 amid increased demand between the Philippines and the US West Coast.
“More flights and more choices are good for travelers. Greater competition can help make air travel more accessible and affordable for Filipinos,” Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said in a press release on Saturday, July 18.
“We want our airlines to grow and prosper. At the same time, we welcome more airlines and more routes because a bigger market benefits everyone – travelers, airlines, airports, tourism businesses and the economy,” he added.
The United States remains the top source of foreign visitors to the Philippines, with 707,394 arrivals recorded as of July 18, according to eTravel data cited by the Department of Tourism.
The new route is also expected to serve the large Filipino and American community in Southern California, making it convenient back to the village and overseas Filipinos to travel home without going through another airport.
Delta will be the second US-based airline to serve the Philippines. United Airlines it is currently the only US carrier operating in the country, with services that include Manila and Cebu.
Delta vice president of network planning Jeff Arinder said the Manila route will also strengthen Los Angeles’ position as the airline’s main West Coast gateway as it expands its network in the Asia-Pacific region. – Rappler.com
