United warns Delta’s LAX-Hong Kong launch will lose money

LOS ANGELES — Delta Air Lines will restart nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport and Hong Kong on June 6, 2026, ending an eight-year hiatus and setting the stage for a fierce fight among three carriers already vying for Southern California’s large share of Asia-bound traffic.

Delta’s Hong Kong comeback from LAX

The daily flight will depart Los Angeles in the late evening and arrive in Hong Kong the following morning, using the long-range Airbus A350-900. The aircraft seats more than 300 passengers in four cabins—including the lie-flat Delta One suite—and can haul 20 tonnes of cargo each way, a capacity Delta hopes to monetize through e-commerce contracts and high-value perishables. In announcing the launch, Paul Baldoni, Delta’s senior vice president of network planning, called Hong Kong “one of the world’s most dynamic markets” and said the route “strengthens our presence at LAX and delivers the premium experience our customers expect,” Baldoni said during the carrier’s route-planning briefing. The resumed link will join Delta’s other recent Pacific expansions from Los Angeles, notably daily service to Melbourne starting in December and three new daily flights to Chicago O’Hare beginning June 7.

United throws cold water on Delta’s projections.

Delta’s optimism is not universally shared. During United Airlines’ most recent earnings call, executives suggested the Atlanta-based carrier will “lose money” on the Los Angeles–Hong Kong pairing, pointing to United’s own entrenched position. United already flies the route from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, claiming the largest share of nonstop seats between California and Hong Kong. Industry site One Mile at a Time crunched the latest financial disclosures and found United lifted its trans-Pacific capacity by 6 percent this year and, in doing so, boosted unit revenue 9 percent. Delta, by contrast, expanded Pacific capacity by 11 percent but saw a 1 percent decline in unit revenue, evidence, United executives say, illustrates the difficulty of adding seats profitably in the region. Still, Los Angeles remains an enormous catchment area for Hong Kong traffic. Cathay Pacific has traditionally led the market on the strength of its Hong Kong hub, while United’s California network funnels passengers through both LAX and SFO. Delta’s return gives travelers a third nonstop option—and it further tightens competition for lucrative corporate contracts based in Southern California’s technology, entertainment, and shipping sectors.

What the new flight means for travelers

Schedule and aircraft

• Launch date: June 6 
• Frequency: Daily, year-round 
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-900 

The wide-body features Delta One Suites with sliding doors, a Premium Select cabin, Comfort+ extra-legroom seats, and Main Cabin. All cabins come equipped with Panasonic seat-back screens and Ku-band Wi-Fi, available for a one-time fee per flight or by the hour.

On the ground at LAX

Eligible premium passengers departing Los Angeles can begin their trip in the new Delta One Lounge near Gate 31. Inside, up to 200 guests have access to a sushi counter, chef-curated tasting menus, and a wellness room stocked with massage chairs. A landscaped terrace seats 26 and overlooks the T-3 ramp—an appealing perch for watching aircraft movements as the sun sets over Santa Monica Bay. For those who value speed over scenery, Delta offers a private curbside entrance that leads directly to Delta One check-in counters and expedited security lanes. Airport employees accompany travelers from the curb to the gate.

Connections

The return of LAX–HKG complements more than 30 same-day Delta connections through Los Angeles, including recent additions to Sydney, Auckland, and Tahiti. Travelers headed beyond Hong Kong can link to Asia-wide destinations through Delta’s joint venture with Korean Air or through interline partners in the SkyTeam alliance.

Why Delta believes the time is right

Delta last served the Hong Kong route in 2016. Since then, Los Angeles has undergone extensive redevelopment, and the airline has invested billions in terminals 2 and 3, creating a consolidated 27-gate complex with airside connectors to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The ground-side transformation, combined with the A350’s favorable economics, allows Delta to re-enter a long sector—7,237 nautical miles—at lower operating cost than with the retired Boeing 777-200LRs that formerly plied the route. Cargo demand is the second pillar. Each A350 lift can handle 20 tonnes below deck, and Southern California’s proximity to tech and pharmaceutical suppliers adds steady, high-yield freight. Delta’s network planners cite that lift as a lever to smooth seasonal passenger fluctuations.

The competitive landscape

Los Angeles–Hong Kong is already crowded: • Cathay Pacific: Up to thrice weekly as it rebuilds post-pandemic capacity. • United Airlines: Daily from Los Angeles and twice daily from San Francisco. • Delta Air Lines: Daily beginning June 6. Fare watchers can expect introductory pricing in economy and premium economy cabins as Delta attempts to attract price-sensitive travelers to the market. Corporate buyers, however, will weigh lounge access, upgrade instruments, and mileage reciprocity before shifting high-yield bookings from incumbent carriers.

Beyond Hong Kong: Chicago and Melbourne

Delta’s broader Los Angeles strategy is to deepen both eastbound and westbound connectivity. On June 7, the airline begins three daily round-trips to Chicago O’Hare, positioning itself against American, Frontier, Spirit and United, plus an indirect rival in Southwest’s Chicago Midway operation. Then in December, Delta will inaugurate nonstop Sydney—Melbourne service, giving Angelenos a one-stop alternative to Qantas’ nonstop to Sydney. For travelers, the takeaway is clear: Los Angeles is becoming an even busier battleground, which generally translates into more schedule options and, at least initially, sharper fares.

Tips for Travelers: Booking the new LAX-HKG flight

• Introductory fares are already visible in Delta’s booking engine and through online travel agencies. Flexibility of plus/minus three days shaves substantial dollars off peak-date pricing.
• Elite members can redeem Global Upgrade Certificates; award space is currently best in Premium Select.
• Check lounge eligibility carefully. SkyTeam Elite Plus does not grant access to the Delta One Lounge, which is reserved exclusively for Delta One passengers.
• If your final destination is China, outside of Hong Kong, confirm the visa requirements—transiting through Hong Kong International Airport may require entry and exit permits.
• For cargo shippers, Delta Cargo has opened allotment bids for high-value perishables; allotments close 14 days before departure.

Is the flight nonstop? 
Yes. The service runs nonstop from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

What time does it depart? 
Exact departure and arrival times vary by day; please check delta.com for details.

Which aircraft operates the route? 
Delta’s Airbus A350-900.

How many seats are in Delta One? 
Not specified in the release, but the A350 fleet typically carries 32 suites.

Can I access the Delta One Lounge with a Sky Club membership? 
No, access is limited to passengers booked in Delta One or partner business-class cabins on the same day of travel.

Does Delta offer onward connections in Asia? 
Yes, through SkyTeam partners and a joint venture with Korean Air.

Delta’s return to the Los Angeles–Hong Kong market on June 6 promises travelers another nonstop choice, fancier pre-flight amenities, and, at least in the short term, the likelihood of competitive fares. Whether the route generates revenue or merely intensifies an already cutthroat Pacific market remains to be seen, but for flyers, more competition nearly always translates into better options.