Delta Air Lines is planning for a transcontinental shake-up within one of the nation’s busiest air travel corridors next year. Nonstop flights between its Los Angeles hub and Newark will commence in April, the legacy carrier announced Friday.
The new route will undoubtedly interfere with United Airlines, which has a massive market share and is determined to dethrone Delta as the number one airline in Los Angeles. It will also launch just four months after JetBlue Airways suspends its service between the two cities.
Delta Puts United On Alert With New Los Angeles-Newark Flights
The Atlanta-based airline confirmed with Simple Flying that flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) are scheduled to begin on April 12, 2027. The service will be operated twice daily on the Airbus A321neo.
The aircraft has become Delta’s transcon workhorse, connecting several East Coast and West Coast cities across numerous routes. It is unclear whether the airline will deploy its standard A321neos or new premium-heavy aircraft equipped with 44 first class seats between LAX and EWR. Earlier this month, Delta began flying its premium-heavy A321neos between Atlanta and Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego.
With 20 first class seats, the standard A321neo has a total capacity of 194 passengers. Understandably, the premium-heavy A321neos accommodate fewer passengers, with a total capacity of 164. Nonetheless, with its planned frequencies between LAX and EWR, more than 640 seats will be offered daily on the route.
Scott Santoro, Delta’s V.P. – Los Angeles and Sales – West, said the carrier can deliver “more choice” for passengers by deploying the A321neo.
“By offering twice-daily flights on our Airbus A321neo, we’re delivering more choice, comfort and reliable connectivity between the East and West Coasts.”
Capacity That Caters To Premium Experiences & Demand
As a hub-to-hub route for United, there’s no question that the Chicago-based carrier pioneers the capacity. With multiple daily frequencies across both widebody and narrowbody aircraft, United offers well over 100,000 seats every month between LAX and EWR. Currently, the airline has 600 flights scheduled in April, offering more than 130,600 seats, according to aviation data and analytics firm Cirium. United is also the most premium operator, with Polaris business class seats on every flight.
Its partner, JetBlue, also operates the route with its highly acclaimed Mint cabin. However, Simple Flying previously reported that the carrier will drop the route early next year, which will leave United as the only airline to offer a lie-flat product on the route. Although Delta’s A321neos only boast a domestic first class product, the carrier credits its terminal and lounges for adding to the premium experience and catering to the demand.
“Los Angeles plays a central role in Delta’s network, and this new nonstop service to Newark reflects our commitment to connecting customers across key business markets,” Santoro explained. “From our state-of-the-art Terminal 3 at LAX to our industry-leading Delta Sky Clubs and the Delta One Lounge, we’re continuing to invest in a premium, seamless travel experience.”
Delta’s second Delta One Lounge at LAX has been quietly preparing to open, with airline employees recently invited to test the new space.
It is worth noting that Delta’s presence will not only meddle with United’s share, but also with Alaska Airlines’. The Seattle-based carrier currently operates LAX-EWR once daily but will increase service to three daily flights in each direction during the peak holiday season from October 25 to January 5. It will then reduce to once-daily flights until February 11, when thrice-daily frequencies will return, Cirium data shows. In April, Alaska has 90 flights scheduled in each direction, offering a total of 31,140 seats on the route. Delta will offer fewer flights with only two daily frequencies, and its operation will undeniably be closer in competition to Alaska’s than to United’s.
United, however, has had its sights set on becoming Los Angeles’ leading airline, and Delta’s news is presumably unwelcome for the carrier. It reportedly ranks number one at six of its seven hub cities across the US, but trails Delta at LAX.
In March, United’s SVP Global Networking & Alliances, Patrick Quayle, told reporters at an event in Los Angeles that the airline was putting “Delta on notice,” as it strives to “be number one as well.” That same week, Delta seemingly fought back by announcing it would schedule more flights to Florida this winter. United then announced it would introduce a new route between LAX and Fort Lauderdale this fall.
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