Delta Air Lines is currently trying to grow at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and become the dominant carrier. LAX is an airport where the “big three” US carriers have historically all competed and had a similar presence, though over time, they’ve taken turns as to which carrier is in the number one spot.
Delta now believes it can establish a permanent advantage, and become the number one carrier at the airport. Along those lines, the airline has just announced its latest domestic expansion from the airport, which includes two new routes, and additional service in existing markets.
Delta adds two new LAX routes, expands seven routes
Between late 2026 and the middle of 2027, Delta plans to add two new routes from LAX, and expand service on seven routes. When it comes to new routes from LAX:
- As of December 19, 2026, Delta will fly 2x daily to Monterey (MRY), using Delta Connection Embraer E175s
- As of June 7, 2027, Delta will fly 1x daily to Philadelphia (PHL), using Airbus A321neos
Then when it comes to additional service in existing markets, here’s what Delta will add out of LAX:
- As of April 12, 2027, Delta will increase to 2x daily flights to Raleigh Durham (RDU)
- As of May 6, 2027, Delta will increase to 5x daily flights to Boston (BOS)
- As of June 7, 2027, Delta will increase to 5x daily flights to San Diego (SAN)
- As of July 11, 2027, Delta will increase to 2x daily flights to Cincinnati (CVG)
- As of July 11, 2027, Delta will increase to 3x daily flights to Houston (IAH)
- As of July 11, 2027, Delta will increase to 3x daily flights to San Antonio (SAT)
- As of July 11, 2027, Delta will increase to 8x daily flights to Seattle (SEA)
With these additions, at its summer 2027 peak, Delta and its partners will offer more than 200 daily departures to nearly 70 destinations from LAX. Delta also claims to be the only airline at LAX serving all of the airport’s top 10 markets with multiple daily flights.
As you can see, there’s a lot of expansion here in markets that are competitive, and particularly, markets where other airlines have hubs. That’s not too surprising, as Delta tries to capture as much corporate traffic as possible. How profitable this growth ends up being remains to be seen.
Delta is very premium, in case you hadn’t heard
Announcement aside, Delta’s press releases are always a real joy to read. In the case of this one, Delta used the word “premium” 21 times:
- “Delta expands position at LAX with largest-ever schedule, premium experience and more”
- “Next summer, Delta will operate the largest and most premium experience in its history at LAX”
- “That scale, combined with Delta’s premium offering, transformed airport experience and deep roots in the Los Angeles community, further strengthens its position as Los Angeles’ #1 airline*”
- “Beyond growing its network, Delta continues to strengthen its position in Los Angeles through industry-leading premium offerings and investments that enhance the travel experience”
- “Delta offers more premium seats at LAX than any other airline and remains focused on elevating every stage of the customer journey”
- “Delta’s investments at LAX create a more seamless and premium journey for customers”
- “Red carpet ready: Luxe new Delta One Lounge rounds out premium ground experience at LAX”
- “Delta is bringing the premium lounge experience to West Coast customers with the opening of the Delta One Lounge at LAX”
- “Delta offers more premium seats at LAX than any other airline, supported by a premium airport and onboard experience”
- “With more premium seats than any other airline and a world-class experience that extends from curb to cabin, Delta continues to lead as the most premium airline at LAX”
Have I made my point or do I need to go on? It’s funny, Singapore Airlines just won the Skytrax World’s Best Airline award. In the carrier’s press release about the announcement, you know how often the word “premium” is mentioned? I’ll give you one guess? Actually, I’ll give you ZERO guesses!
It’s almost, like, if you’re actually premium, you don’t have to spend every minute reminding everyone you’re premium. Wild, eh?
Bottom line
Delta has announced its latest expansion at LAX, as the airline will be adding service to Monterey and Philadelphia, while expanding service in seven existing markets. The airline is obviously serious about its expansion at the airport, and it’s going to be interesting to see how it works out.
Up until now, no airline has really been able to grow all that profitably at LAX, given how competitive it is, both among domestic and international airlines. Will things be different this time for Delta? We’ll see!
What do you make of Delta’s latest “premium” LAX expansion?
AA will have more gates then DL once T5 and T4 are complete and have rights to the gates at TBIT so, while DL may have an advatage at the moment, AA has learned their lesson from NYC and ORD and won't be waiting this time. AA knows that LAX is a destination and Asian connecting hub and will make it so again. At the same time, BA / AA hold over 60% of the...
AA will have more gates then DL once T5 and T4 are complete and have rights to the gates at TBIT so, while DL may have an advatage at the moment, AA has learned their lesson from NYC and ORD and won't be waiting this time. AA knows that LAX is a destination and Asian connecting hub and will make it so again. At the same time, BA / AA hold over 60% of the London traffic (DL keeps launching and cancelling that route and Virgin is too small) and One World has significant LAX Traffic. DL might be #1 for a while, but I won't hold my breathe, DL on the West Coast is weak, and the Alaska / AA / One World has an opportunity starting in 2028 to expose DL arrogance, again.
Apparently that’s all it takes to get Americans to spend more. Just sprinkle the word premium and they’ll be sold.
I finally had that shake shack burger a few weeks ago. Not bad.
5 flights to Boston is nice. 8 flights to Seattle seems like a lot, especially since Alaska probably has the same number.
Whether DL is premium or not is not the issue at LAX.
Most of the highest revenue routes from LAX are to other airline hubs and no airline has 100% coverage to every other airline hubs from LAX.
The addition of a single daily to PHL is a small start but IAD, CLT, and STL are still notable additions DL needs to make.
Let's keep in mind that jet fuel is over $4.50/gallon and...
Whether DL is premium or not is not the issue at LAX.
Most of the highest revenue routes from LAX are to other airline hubs and no airline has 100% coverage to every other airline hubs from LAX.
The addition of a single daily to PHL is a small start but IAD, CLT, and STL are still notable additions DL needs to make.
Let's keep in mind that jet fuel is over $4.50/gallon and while DL is paying less due to its refinery, this is not the time for moon shots either in the US economy or anywhere in the global airline industry.
welcome back TD!!! missed you!!!! (I knew you'd be back)
Delta is still getting crushed by United. I don't know how Delta can claim premium given their horrible internet plans. Even Southwest has more flights than Delta at LAX and they don't think that equates to being premium.
Premium: a product, service, or pricing tier that offers superior quality, exclusive features, or high brand prestige, commanding a higher-than-average cost that consumers willingly pay for perceived surplus value.
Exactly what does DL think makes them premium compared to AA or UA? I have flown all three up front and in the back in the last three months. There is really no appreciable difference. Sure, each airline excels in different areas that one might consider...
Premium: a product, service, or pricing tier that offers superior quality, exclusive features, or high brand prestige, commanding a higher-than-average cost that consumers willingly pay for perceived surplus value.
Exactly what does DL think makes them premium compared to AA or UA? I have flown all three up front and in the back in the last three months. There is really no appreciable difference. Sure, each airline excels in different areas that one might consider premium, but no US airline stands out as meeting the premium threshold. The smoke DL, AA and UA up people's rear ends is starting to get old.
There's an old saying.
If nobody is premium then everybody is premium.
Will all of the BOS flights be D1?
I'll agree with other posters - I'd /really/ like to see some more TCON routes getting lie-flats. Ah, well, maybe when the seats get sorted out...
Excited to see San Antonio get the LUV. With additional gate access to come in the new Terminal C, I’m curious if Delta will continue to grow, either taking on Alaska to Seattle (which I believe has gone from 2x to 1x daily), or Breeze’s 3x weekly to RDU. Additional frequencies to LAX plus the new SAT-BOS flight, a good couple wins for the other central Texas airport.
They’re really promoting LAX-PHL, but then use a lame a321neo with recliners… transcon redeye without lie-flat ain’t ‘premium’ friends.
(Will this be the story that brings Tim back?)
“Will this be the story that brings Tim back?”
You’re playing with fire.
Candyman.
Candyman.
Candyman.
Candyman.
Candyman.
To parafrase Thatcher. Being Premium is like being a Lady, if you have to tell people you are, you are not
I fail to see the link. But pray tell, how I do that.....
I guess the post I replied was cut, for good reason.... Makes my second post a bit out of context though :)
SAN to LAX is 109 air miles. Do people drive down there from Orange County, just because parking is available? If you think climate change is a hoax, you have to love how Delta supports the jet fuel industry.
No one (well, almost no one) uses SAN-LAX to fly between the two cities. There are many airports in the US that cannot be reached nonstop from SAN. So if one has to make a connection out of SAN (with SFO, PHX, DEN, IAH, DFW being the major options, at least for domestic), a flight via LAX is faster than driving to LAX and flying from there.
And of course, for international flying, LAX has...
No one (well, almost no one) uses SAN-LAX to fly between the two cities. There are many airports in the US that cannot be reached nonstop from SAN. So if one has to make a connection out of SAN (with SFO, PHX, DEN, IAH, DFW being the major options, at least for domestic), a flight via LAX is faster than driving to LAX and flying from there.
And of course, for international flying, LAX has a far greater range of flights than SAN. So I've used those connections many, many times, but never to fly just between the cities.
I understand that short hop is usually the first or last segment of a longer trip. I disagree that it's faster than driving, but that isn't an environmentally friendly solution either. The Southern California infrastructure doesn't yet support better alternatives, but the fares being collected don't reflect the federal and local tax funds required to make this "convenience" available.
"but the fares being collected don't reflect the federal and local tax funds required to make this "convenience" available."
You sure make declarative statements, without much to back them up.
As Trump has shown us…. if you keep repeating something over and over again people will start to believe it no matter what the truth is.
"Singapore Airlines just won the Skytrax World’s Best Airline award." - for which Delta isn't in the top 10.
Or, indeed, the top 20.
Monterey service will be a welcome change from United Express. The addition of a MRY to SLC is great news for skiers.
Now for international flights from LAX, the Delta One lounge is within range.
I boarded behind Delta's most frequent flier, their Tom Stuker equivalent, on a SAN-LAX operated by UNITED.
He is SAN based and used that leg to get onto Delta ONE metal.
5x frequency helps him. I suppose it's one way to avoid adding CLD service.
Me thinks that the site's favourite commenter in Tim Dunn is their newest PR hire ;)
Premium refers to any seat that isn't main cabin. It's a statistic.
@ Powerball Winner -- A majority of the references aren't regarding the number of seats, but rather, are about the overall experience. A "premium journey" does not refer to a specific number of seats.
Is AA just going to have its fortress hubs and not compete anywhere?
In theory more competition and capacity should benefit consumers flying from LAX.
And what could possibly be more premium than an E175 to Monterey?
July seems awfully late to add extra Seattle service, since the Alaska cruise season starts in May - whatever will people do to get to their ship if they can’t premium their way there on DL?
Jokes aside, is this service expansion being supported by new aircraft deliveries or a reduction in flying elsewhere?
If you want a good laugh, "Jetlanta" on a.net had quite the Delta Goebbels spin take on this. Basically, that adding little new means delta is "perfect" and couldn't possibly improve. If you ever wanted to read a more "delta" comment from an ex employee in love with them... this is your take.
I mean, hey. For an airline with the lowest mileage penetration in Southern California, I admire his dedication to 2005 Delta and...
If you want a good laugh, "Jetlanta" on a.net had quite the Delta Goebbels spin take on this. Basically, that adding little new means delta is "perfect" and couldn't possibly improve. If you ever wanted to read a more "delta" comment from an ex employee in love with them... this is your take.
I mean, hey. For an airline with the lowest mileage penetration in Southern California, I admire his dedication to 2005 Delta and personal ID association with an airline he hasn't worked for in decades.
It's not that much extra service, it's going from 7x to 8x daily. I wouldn't pay that much attention to the timing. SEA to LAX is basically just a commuter/feeder route.
The PHL add is the interesting one, given AA flies it up to 8x daily.
FYI @yolo2x
the joke is that Delta marketing is making it out to be a joke. When it's very very little.
At this point Delta doesn’t need a marketing department, they need a thesaurus. “Premium” this, “premium” that — I’ve heard “premium” so many times I expect the next Delta press release to announce a premium restroom, premium boarding, and premium oxygen between Atlanta and LAX.
what's worse is that the amount of liberally added b.s. also speaks of a population who no longer question what they're being told
Premium is literally the name of any seat that isn't main cabin in the airline industry. They're literally just referencing statistic and people are losing their minds lol.
Fly LAX-IND a lot. Back when Delta and American both had 1x daily (2025) flight Delta was empty American was full and more expensive. Delta sometimes wasn’t even flying daily and down to 4-5x weekly. Now American has 2x daily flights (2026) while Delta still has 1 and Delta is still cheaper. Clearly this is a route that could support 14x weekly but not on Delta not sure what’s up here on the premium airline and Delta still didn’t up this route for next summer