Delta Returns to the Philippines With New Nonstop LAX to Manila Flights Starting March 2027

Delta Air Lines plans to return to the Philippines after nearly a decade, launching daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) on March 28, 2027. The route will be Delta's first-ever nonstop flight connecting the U.S. mainland with the Philippines.

The carrier last served Manila in 2018, when it operated a one-stop service via Tokyo Narita. With this new route, Delta becomes the only U.S. carrier offering nonstop flights between the U.S. mainland and Manila, joining Philippine Airlines, which currently dominates the market.

Why Delta Is Returning to Manila

The Philippines represents one of the largest U.S. immigrant communities in the country, and Los Angeles is home to a significant Filipino population. Delta cited demand from the Filipino American community and growing business ties as key factors behind the decision.

Currently, Philippine Airlines operates nonstop service between LAX and Manila, along with flights from San Francisco, New York JFK, Honolulu, Guam, and Seattle. United Airlines also serves Manila from San Francisco. Delta's entry adds a competing option for travelers who previously had limited choices on the transpacific route.

For Delta, the return to Manila fills a gap in its Asia-Pacific network. The airline has been rebuilding its Pacific strategy after shifting its hub operations from Tokyo Narita to Tokyo Haneda in 2020. Delta already flies from LAX to destinations including Tokyo Haneda, Seoul Incheon, Shanghai Pudong, Sydney, Auckland, and Papeete.

Route Details and Schedule

Delta will operate the route with its Airbus A350-900 aircraft, configured with Delta One suites, Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin seating. The flight will run daily in both directions.

What Travelers Can Expect

The A350-900 features 306 seats across four cabins. Delta One suites offer lie-flat beds with sliding privacy doors, while Premium Select provides wider seats with more recline and legroom than standard economy. All passengers will have access to Delta's free Wi-Fi service for SkyMiles members.

Travelers connecting through LAX will have access to Delta's expanded Terminal 3 facilities, which include the Delta One Lounge and Delta Sky Club. The airline has invested heavily in the terminal as part of its West Coast hub strategy.

For those traveling from Manila, the return flight schedule allows convenient onward connections at LAX to Delta's domestic network across the U.S., including flights to New York, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Seattle.

Booking and Pricing

Tickets are expected to go on sale in the coming weeks through Delta's website, the Fly Delta app, and travel agents. Delta typically opens bookings for new long-haul routes several months in advance, giving travelers time to plan.

SkyMiles members can earn miles based on ticket price, with elite status members earning bonus miles. Award seats will also be available, though pricing has not yet been announced.

Competition on the Route

Philippine Airlines currently operates multiple daily flights between LAX and Manila using Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The addition of Delta's daily service will nearly double capacity on the route, potentially putting downward pressure on fares.

Delta's SkyTeam alliance partners do not currently serve Manila from North America, though the airline maintains partnerships with several Asian carriers that could feed traffic onto the new route.

Strategic Timing

The March 2027 launch aligns with the start of Delta's summer schedule and gives the airline time to secure slots, crew, and aircraft. It also coincides with growing travel demand between the U.S. and Southeast Asia, a region that has seen strong recovery since pandemic-related restrictions ended.

Manila serves as a gateway to the broader Philippines, including popular tourist destinations such as Cebu, Palawan, and Boracay. Delta passengers can connect to domestic Philippine flights through interline agreements with local carriers.

What This Means for Travelers

If you regularly fly between the U.S. and the Philippines, Delta's new service gives you another option beyond Philippine Airlines and one-stop itineraries through other Asian hubs. The daily schedule offers flexibility, and Delta's SkyMiles program provides an alternative for earning and redeeming miles on the route.

For business travelers, the nonstop flight cuts travel time significantly compared to connecting itineraries through Tokyo, Seoul, or Taipei. Leisure travelers benefit from Delta's premium cabin products, including Delta One suites on the A350.

Delta has not yet announced whether it plans to add additional Philippine destinations or expand frequency beyond daily service. For now, the LAX to Manila route marks the airline's most significant Pacific network addition in years and signals renewed commitment to Southeast Asia.