Delta Air Lines is expanding its presence at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with two new routes launching in June 2026: a long-haul transpacific service to Hong Kong and a high-frequency domestic connection to Chicago O’Hare.
Daily nonstop flights to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) will begin on June 6, marking Delta’s return to the city after a seven-year absence. The airline last served Hong Kong from Seattle until October 2018. The new 6,297-mi. (7,246-nm) route will operate using Airbus A350-900 aircraft configured with four cabin classes.
The move will see Delta compete directly with Cathay Pacific and United Airlines, which operate up to three and two daily flights, respectively, between LAX and HKG. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, Cathay holds a 63% capacity share on the route, while United accounts for 37%. Delta’s entry will contribute an additional 4,300 weekly seats, increasing overall nonstop capacity by more than 20%.
The route also strengthens Delta’s transpacific cargo capabilities, creating a new freight corridor between two major cargo markets. The A350s offer more than 20 tons of bellyhold capacity per flight, supporting demand for electronics, perishables and e-commerce shipments.
On the domestic front, Delta will introduce three daily flights between LAX and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) beginning June 7, operated by Boeing 737-800s. The carrier will enter a crowded corridor already served by five competitors, including American Airlines and United, which currently operate 67 and 74 weekly frequencies, respectively.
The additions support Delta’s broader push to grow its West Coast hub at LAX, where it is the largest carrier by seat capacity as of July 2025, holding a 17.8% market share—just ahead of United (16.6%) and American (15.4%). Delta has invested heavily in airport infrastructure, including the $2.3 billion Sky Way terminal project and the redevelopment of Terminal 3.
With the launch of Hong Kong—the host destination for Routes World 2025—Delta’s Asia-Pacific network from LAX will expand to five destinations, joining Tokyo Haneda, Sydney, Shanghai Pudong and the upcoming Melbourne route, which begins in December 2025. The Shanghai service resumed in June 2025 after a pandemic-related suspension.
The Los Angeles–Hong Kong market has seen robust recovery since the pandemic. According to Sabre Market Intelligence, two-way traffic totaled 263,339 passengers in 2024, up nearly 15% year-over-year. Around 37% of travelers flew via connecting airports, indicating room for Delta to attract traffic currently routed through hubs such as Taipei, Seoul and San Francisco.
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