In a significant boost for Queensland, Delta Air Lines, one of the world’s largest carriers, has launched a new service to Brisbane, offering three seasonal flights per week from Los Angeles.
The inaugural flight featured Delta’s special LA28 Olympics livery, symbolically linking the host cities of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles with Brisbane, the host city for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The landing of DL93 at 7:18am was livestreamed to a global audience, with a watch-party held in Los Angeles to celebrate Delta’s connection of the two cities.
Delta Air Lines is flying an Airbus A350-900 on its new LA route, with capacity for 306 passengers. The airline operates over 4,000 daily flights to nearly 280 destinations on six continents.
“This one aircraft has today bridged two Olympic host cities and strengthened ties between the United States and Queensland,” said Brisbane Airport Chief Executive Officer, Gert-Jan de Graaff.
“We are over the moon that Brisbane is now Delta’s second destination in Australia. The arrival of one of the world’s largest carriers speaks volumes about this city’s growing prominence as a global destination.
“We are entering a historic age of connectivity across the Pacific, with 31 flights per week from North America by 5 carriers from 4 major hubs opening up a world of connections.
“This marks an unprecedented level of tourism, trade and connection between the people of Queensland and the United States and Canada.”
Delta’s service connects Brisbane travellers with dozens of cities in the United States and Canada via Delta’s Los Angeles hub, where Delta has upgraded the experience to offer customers faster check-in, faster movement between terminals and a more modern experience.
Delta flights between Brisbane and LAX offers four cabins of service, including the only premium economy service currently offered between Brisbane and Los Angeles.
The new flights are supported by Queensland’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, which was established to boost the number of international tourists spending up in the state.
The U.S. is Brisbane’s 5th largest source of international visitors to the state.
From Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Science and Innovation Andrew Powell
“Weekly direct flights from Los Angeles means more visitors, more business, and more ways to cement ourselves as a global tourism powerhouse.
“This is about growing our strong partnership with the American tourism market, as my Government continues to create more tourism offerings to show the world in our 20-Year Tourism Plan.
“The Attracting Aviation Investment Fund has now secured 39 deals for international services to Queensland, delivering almost 2.36 million inbound seats and more than $2 billion in annual visitor spend.”
From Delta Air Lines, Jeff Moomaw, Vice-President Asia Pacific
“My Delta colleagues and I are thrilled at the launch of our Brisbane service and the convenience it will offer to travellers in Australia and throughout North America.
“We have invested significantly to make Delta’s LAX terminal the most modern, easy-to-navigate gateway airport for Australia-U.S. travel, and we look forward to welcoming customers to a travel experience that is friendly and efficient on the ground and in the air.”
From U.S. Consul General, Christine Elder
“For nearly 100 years Delta has been getting Americans where they need to go, in the U.S. and around the world. Brisbane has become a top destination for tourism and business.
“These new flights between Brisbane and Los Angeles will facilitate more trade and connections between the U.S. and Australia. Brisbane is already the gateway to Australia and other Pacific destinations for many U.S. travelers, and we know that over 350,000 Australians enter the United States through L.A. every year.
“Three of the major U.S. airlines are now flying this route every week, giving more Americans and more Australians great options to connect with family, grow their businesses, study abroad, and notch another state or adventure off their wishlist.
“There has never been a better time to fly across the Pacific.”
From Andrew Liveris, Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President
“This is an exciting day to celebrate the close connection that Brisbane shares with Los Angeles, including being sequential Host Cities for the upcoming Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028 and 2032.
“In just over four years, the eyes of the world will be on Brisbane and Queensland as we take part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Closing Ceremonies, before officially becoming the next Host.
“Hosting the Games brings with it significant economic and social benefits. The more the world associates the power of the Games with our city and state in the lead up to 2032, the greater the opportunities ahead.”
From Justin McGowan, Trade and Investment Queensland CEO
“Direct flights make a huge difference to Queensland companies exporting to key destinations or those who plan to in the future,
“We live in a digital world, but nothing beats face-to-face business meetings, and the ease of travel is critical in allowing those to happen so new relationships can be established and existing ones grow.
“The U.S. is one of Queensland’s major trading partners and one of the major sources of foreign direct investment, so this new route is exciting for many different reasons.
“Congratulations to Delta Air Lines on making the commitment to this route and playing its part in all the benefits that flow for travellers and businesses in Queensland and LA.”
Brisbane Airport now has direct connections to 32 international cities and 62 locations across Australia, making it the most connected domestic airport in Australia, and a major gateway.
