Delta Air Lines will broaden its Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) footprint next summer by launching daily nonstop flights to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) on June 6, 2026, and three daily round-trips to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on June 7, 2026. Both routes strengthen Delta's largest West Coast hub, give Midwestern travelers one-stop Pacific access via LAX, and showcase the carrier's latest onboard products.
Key Points
- Daily LAX-Hong Kong flights begin June 6, 2026 on Airbus A350-900 jets.
- Thrice-daily LAX-ORD service starts June 7, 2026 with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
- Why it matters: new links boost Delta's transpacific network and offer new domestic competition on the busy Los Angeles-Chicago corridor.
- Hong Kong route features four cabins, including Delta One suites and Premium Select.
- Chicago flights provide free high-speed Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members in all classes.
Route Snapshot
Delta's Hong Kong flights cover 7,260 miles in roughly 15 hours westbound, departing LAX mid-afternoon for an evening arrival the next day. The return is an overnight flight that reaches Los Angeles before noon, feeding afternoon connections. The shorter 1,745-mile Chicago leg clocks in near four hours, with morning, midday, and evening departures timed for business day trips and smooth transpacific links.
Background
Delta's $2.3 billion investment in LAX, capped by its 27-gate Terminal 3 complex and a new Delta One Lounge, has lifted the airline to top spot by seats and departures at the airport. Network planners have leveraged that scale to add long-haul spokes-most recently Shanghai, Melbourne, and now Hong Kong-while filling domestic gaps such as LAX-Chicago, historically dominated by American and United.
Latest Developments
Delta filed both routes in industry schedules on July 16, 2025, and opened sales the same day.
Los Angeles - Hong Kong
- Operated with flagship Airbus A350-900s.
- Cabins: Delta One suites, Premium Select, Comfort+, Main Cabin.
- Exclusive Delta One Lounge access at LAX for premium flyers.
Los Angeles - Chicago
- Flown by 162-seat Boeing 737-800s offering First, Comfort+, Main Cabin.
- Each seat has power, personal screens, and free Wi-Fi.
Terminal 3 Enhancements
Travelers on either flight will CLEAR security through Terminal 3's centralized checkpoint, then access upgraded concessions, biometric boarding gates, and walkway connections to Terminal 2 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Analysis
For West Coast flyers, the Hong Kong service restores a Star Alliance-free option to one of Asia's premier financial centers, eliminating layovers in Seoul or Tokyo and trimming total travel time by up to four hours. Midwest travelers gain a one-stop transpacific path via Delta's LAX hub, potentially undercutting fares routed through San Francisco or Seattle. On the domestic front, Delta's thrice-daily LAX-ORD schedule breaks the American-United duopoly, adding nearly 2,500 daily seats and injecting pricing pressure during peak conventions and summer Family Travel. Advisors should flag Delta's basic-economy change-fee rules on international tickets, which differ from the no-change-fee policy on domestic Main Cabin fares. Corporate travelers holding SkyMiles Medallion status will appreciate same-day standby flexibility and lounge reciprocity with Korean Air under the two carriers' joint venture, expanding onward Asia connectivity.
Final Thoughts
Delta's twin launches promise smoother Pacific journeys and fresh competition on a core domestic trunk, solidifying LAX as the airline's springboard to both Hong Kong's harbor skyline and Chicago's lakeside downtown. Travelers booking early can lock in introductory award pricing and snag coveted Delta One suites before demand spikes. Expect these additions to sharpen West-to-Asia itineraries and reshape fare dynamics between the nation's two largest metros-welcome news for anyone eyeing the new Delta LAX-Hong Kong flights.