December sees American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines each expanding their transpacific networks with new routes to Australia.
American Airlines will open the month with a new seasonal Los Angeles-Brisbane route, operating 3X-weekly from Dec. 5 through Jan. 30, 2026. The flights, using Boeing 787-9s, expand the carrier’s Queensland offering following the debut of Dallas-Fort Worth-Brisbane in 2024.
The move forms part of schedule adjustments within its joint venture with Qantas. During the peak Christmas period, American will assume three of Qantas’ existing LAX-Brisbane frequencies, allowing the partners to maintain daily service while optimizing their fleet deployment.
The joint venture continues to hold the largest share of transpacific capacity between the U.S. and Australia, operating about 50% of all seats this winter, according to OAG Schedules Analyser. The LAX-Brisbane market itself has become increasingly contested, with Delta also launching service in 2024.
Meanwhile, Delta will grow its Australian footprint on Dec. 3 with the launch of Los Angeles-Melbourne, to operate 3X-weekly using Airbus A350-900s. The route will become Delta’s third gateway to Australia after Sydney and Brisbane. Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus says the service will help support the state’s visitor economy, adding that Delta’s new flights will “help bring hundreds of extra visitors to our state each week.” The service will also boost freight exports, allowing Victoria-based shippers to access North America without transiting Sydney.
United Airlines will enter its fourth Australian market with the launch of San Francisco-Adelaide service beginning Dec. 11. The 3X-weekly winter-seasonal route, flown by 787-9s, will be the only nonstop link between Adelaide and the U.S.
Beyond Australia, December will also see significant transatlantic and transpacific additions. Canada’s Air Transat will open its farthest route to date with 2X-weekly Toronto-Istanbul flights beginning Dec. 16, operated year-round with Airbus A330s. The carrier will also establish an interline partnership with Turkish Airlines, enabling connections to the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Toronto-Istanbul O&D demand reached 131,700 passengers in 2024, yet fewer than 40% flew nonstop, indicating room for stimulation.
In the U.S., Phoenix will gain its first Asian carrier when China Airlines begins 3X-weekly Taipei-Phoenix service on Dec. 3 using A350-900s. The launch follows Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s plans to invest $165 billion in the region—considered the largest foreign direct investment in U.S. history—and supports increasing business travel demand between Arizona and Taiwan. Phoenix-Taiwan O&D traffic totaled 67,000 two-way passengers in 2024.
In Europe, China Southern will enter the Spanish market with 3X-weekly Guangzhou-Madrid flights from Dec. 2, using 787-9s. The launch strengthens China-Europe connectivity, a market where Chinese carriers now control more than 82% of capacity (excluding Russia) due largely to continued access to Russian airspace.
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