Delta will launch its first-ever nonstop flights to Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand starting this fall with service from Los Angeles (LAX), the airline announced Friday morning, along with a sampling of some additional new and increasing routes over to Europe for summer 2023.

Delta Air Lines said in a news release that its nonstop service from Los Angeles to Auckland is currently scheduled to begin on Oct. 28, with tickets expected to go on sale tomorrow. It's uncharted territory for Delta, which has flown nonstop to Sydney (SYD) for more than a decade but never to New Zealand. The Atlanta-based airline adds to a small handful of nonstop U.S. routes to New Zealand including from Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and United.

But it's the latest (and arguably greatest) of Delta's additions out of Los Angeles (LAX) where Delta has been building a stronger, bolder presence. The airline debuted a gleaming, refreshed terminal last year complete with an amazing new Delta Sky Club. Late last year, the airline launched its first-ever nonstop flights to Tahiti (PPT) while also increasing daily flights to Sydney. Sometime in 2024, the airline plans to open an exclusive business class lounge in LA as well as New York City (JFK) for passengers flying Delta One.

The New Zealand route will be flown on an Airbus A350-900 equipped with 30 Delta One seats – but not Delta One suites, 48 Delta Premium Select seats, four rows of Delta Comfort Plus seats, and another 21 rows of economy seats.

-B