Delta is adding its first-ever nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Manila, with service set to begin on March 28, 2027. The move gives Delta a direct link to the Philippines from LAX and makes it the only U.S. carrier offering nonstop service on the route.
The launch is aimed squarely at travelers moving between Southern California and the Philippines, where Manila serves as the capital, the country’s primary international gateway and a major commercial and cultural center in Southeast Asia. Delta will operate the route on an Airbus A350-900.
Jeff Arinder said customers traveling through Los Angeles continue to benefit from Delta’s investments in LAX, including an expanding Asia-Pacific network and the opening of the carrier’s second Delta One Lounge. He said the addition of Manila builds on the travel experience customers expect from Delta while strengthening its position as LAX’s leading global carrier and premier West Coast hub.
The premium pitch is part of the story, but it also leaves an obvious question unanswered: how often the flights will run. Delta has said the Manila service will be part of its broader LAX push and will add the Philippines to its global network, yet it has not detailed the schedule or pricing. For travelers, that means the route is real, the start date is fixed and the aircraft is set — but the practical shape of the service still has to be spelled out.
Delta One customers traveling to Manila will have access to exclusive Delta One check-in and security at LAX, along with the airline’s two Delta One Lounges, including the newly opened Terminal 2 location. By 2028, Delta plans to offer four dedicated lounge spaces at LAX totaling more than 60,000 square, underscoring how much of this launch is tied to the airport experience as much as the new nonstop flight itself.
For passengers, the big change is straightforward: a long-haul trip that once required a connection will now have a direct option. For Delta, the gamble is equally clear. It is betting that a new nonstop to Manila can deepen its role at LAX while giving the carrier a stronger foothold in a market that reaches from business travel to family visits and onward trips across the Philippines.
