- Published:
- Friday 5 December 2025 at 9:15 am
In another boost for Victoria’s visitor economy, the first direct Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne has touched down - opening a gateway for more visitors to experience Victoria’s world-class events, hospitality and attractions, thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks today joined Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus to welcome the Airbus A350-900. There will be three flights per week, arriving and departing Melbourne on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The service will provide an extra 86,000 seats between Victoria and the United States, with travellers able to connect to more than 40 airports in the US and Latin America from LAX.
The deal was made possible through the Labor Government’s $7 million Industry Partnership Program – a key initiative of the Economic Growth Statement that enables government and industry to co-invest to grow Victoria’s visitor economy.
It will also improve trade ties and provide new opportunities for exporters, with producers now able to access more reliable and direct access to one of the world’s biggest consumer markets.
The Delta service will offer four cabin classes and greater capacity on one of the world’s most in-demand long-haul corridors.
With Victoria preparing to make history as the first state to host an NFL Regular Season game, the new Delta connection also provides the perfect link for American fans travelling to Australia’s sporting capital.
Victoria welcomed more than 200,000 visitors from the United States in the year ending June 2025, spending more than 1.9 million nights across the state.
The US is Victoria’s fifth-largest international visitor market, contributing $385 million in visitor spending.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks
“This deal delivers an extra 86,000 seats a year between Victoria and the United States – a huge win for travellers and tourism operators, and a major boost for jobs with more freight capacity opening new opportunities for producers across food, technology and manufacturing.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“We’re making it even easier for Americans to choose Victoria. From our incredible regional destinations to our world-class events, this new deal will strengthen one of our most important visitor markets and support jobs right across the state.”
Quote attributable to Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements
“The Industry Partnership Program is creating opportunities for Victorian businesses to convert demand into visitors – growing our record $43.7 billion visitor economy, which supports hundreds of thousands of jobs.”
Quotes attributable to Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus
“Delta’s arrival in Melbourne means better connections between Victoria and North America, more choice for local travellers and exporters as well as more seats to bring American tourists into our state.”
“Melbourne Airport is expecting its busiest summer on record for international travel, thanks in part to the additional capacity provided by Delta to the important North American market.”