In a significant move, Delta Air Lines is entering the highly contested Los Angeles to Chicago route next June, while also expanding its international presence with new flights to Hong Kong from LAX.
Beginning on June 7, Delta will operate the LAX-O’Hare route three times daily using Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This route is currently dominated by major players including United Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
Both United and American have substantial hubs at O’Hare and LAX, making the market fiercely competitive. This month, United is set to operate as many as 11 daily flights between Los Angeles and Chicago, with American offering approximately 10 flights, as per data from Cirium.
While Delta does not maintain a hub in Chicago, it boasts a significant presence at LAX, where it is the largest airline, managing an average of 296 daily arrivals and departures according to AirNav Radar. This slight edge puts Delta ahead of both United and American in terms of daily operations.
Enhancing Connectivity for Passengers
Delta’s expansion into the LAX-O’Hare route enables the airline to provide Chicago travelers with seamless connections to its broadening transpacific network. This network will soon include flights to Hong Kong.
New Flights to Hong Kong
Delta plans to commence daily flights from LAX to Hong Kong starting June 6, utilizing Airbus A350-900 aircraft equipped with various cabin options including business class, premium economy, and economy. This route will also see competition from United and Cathay Pacific.
This strategic expansion marks Delta’s growing commitment to enhancing its service offerings on key routes, ensuring more options for travelers flying between major U.S. cities and international destinations.
