DELTA is to open direct access to Melbourne, Australia, following an announcement by joint venture partner Virgin Australia of plans to launch nonstop service between Melbourne and Los Angeles in 2017.

The new route will strengthen the trans-Pacific network offered by Delta and its partner in the region.

According to Ranjan Goswami, Delta’s Vice President – Sales, West Region “Delta offers a truly superior network of international partners out of Los Angeles. Through our joint venture, Delta and Virgin Australia continue to differentiate ourselves as leading carriers in the U.S.-Australia market, from boosting our service to key destinations to mutually investing in a best-in-class customer experience.”

“The United States is a key market for Virgin Australia, and this enables us to offer direct services from Los Angeles to the three largest cities in Australia – Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney,” said Virgin Australia Group CEO John Borghetti.

Delta’s premium cabin Delta One, alongside Virgin Australia’s business-class experience The Business, which launched in June, distinguishes Delta and Virgin Australia as the only trans-Pacific alliance to consistently offer full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access in business class.

Delta has been the fastest-growing carrier at Los Angeles International Airport since 2009 and will embark next year on a relocation to Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX, enabling operation alongside Virgin Australia and many of its other airline partners.

The $1.9 billion plan to upgrade and connect the complex at Terminals 2 and 3 will create a premier partner hub that offers best-in-class check-in, faster connection times for seamless connectivity and an industry-leading customer experience.Delta and Virgin Australia currently fly twice-daily from Los Angeles to Sydney and daily from Los Angeles to Brisbane.