Historically, Delta Air Lines has refrained from ultra-long-haul flights, with few exceptions. Nevertheless, this is gradually beginning to change, as Delta intends to introduce flights to Hong Kong (HKG) and Riyadh (RUH). This is just the start of their expansion, and there’s an intriguing update concerning a new destination the airline aims to incorporate.
## Delta announces 2027 launch for flights to Manila, Philippines
In late October 2025, a Delta executive disclosed to employees internally that the airline has plans to include flights to Singapore (SIN) and Manila (MNL), although they refrained from providing a specific timeline for the launch or indicating the airport from which this service will be activated.
Well, there’s an update on that matter. Delta has recently submitted a filing to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding Philippine Airlines’ request to operate flights to Chicago (ORD). In this document, the airline announces that starting in the summer of 2027, it plans to initiate daily flights to Manila from Los Angeles (LAX), utilizing an A350:
> Delta respectfully urges the Department to postpone action on PAL’s application until Delta’s entry is secured by the Philippine Government.
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> Delta is not opposed to PAL’s requested authority in principle. Delta acknowledges that enhanced services between the United States and the Philippines could yield public advantages, including greater consumer options and boosted trade and tourism between the two nations.
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> Delta is equally dedicated to furthering these same public interest goals. In pursuit of that objective, Delta is working towards launching its own Manila service next summer (2027) with daily Airbus A350-900 flights from Los Angeles. Delta’s service would introduce added competition, new routing possibilities, and improved connectivity for both US and Philippine passengers.
Now, we’ll have to wait and see if this actually materializes within the promised timeline, but that’s the stated intention.
## I can’t quite grasp Delta’s Manila strategy
There are two aspects of this announcement that I find compelling. Firstly, I don’t entirely comprehend Delta’s West Coast strategy. Among the “big three” US airlines, United is the sole carrier that maintains a major long-haul hub in the form of San Francisco (SFO).
It’s challenging to understand Delta’s strategy regarding Los Angeles (LAX) versus Seattle (SEA). Historically, Los Angeles has been Delta’s larger West Coast hub, yet it seems to be a market that no airline can truly “dominate,” as all of the “big three” US carriers have a significant foothold there.
For nearly a decade, Delta has focused on expanding in Seattle, especially toward the Pacific, but the tide seems to have turned. We are now witnessing the airline broaden its reach in Los Angeles, with services to both Hong Kong and Manila.
Next, for an airline that is just beginning to expand across the Pacific, I find it somewhat surprising that Manila is given such importance. This involves a flight of over 7,000 miles in a market with high demand but fairly low yields.
I suppose Delta perceives itself as the “premium” alternative in comparison to Philippine Airlines, yet this route doesn’t seem to be ideal for Delta, considering its high operating expenses. To be fair, United began flights from San Francisco to Manila in late 2023, although United has advanced further in terms of its Asia route network, with San Francisco being a considerably larger hub for the airline.
So we’ll see how this develops. Admittedly, airline economics have evolved over the years, and routes don’t necessarily need to be immediately profitable; loyalty programs also play a significant role in decision-making. Nonetheless, I’m still not entirely convinced about this…
## Bottom line
Delta has officially confirmed that in the summer of 2027, it intends to launch daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Manila. While we knew the airline was considering flights to Manila (and Singapore), it’s intriguing to note that the new route will operate from Los Angeles. Admittedly, that represents the larger market for the Philippines, but it’s a lengthy trip, and it doesn’t exactly promise high returns.
**What are your thoughts on Delta’s Manila plans?**