US airline Delta launches Sydney to LA route

SYDNEY (AFP) - Giant US airline Delta has launched non-stop Sydney to Los Angeles flights, becoming only the fourth carrier to ply the lucrative route.

Delta Flight 16 left Sydney International Airport at 9:25 am (2325 GMT), kicking off a daily service in either direction by the world's largest carrier.

"Australia is a very important market for Delta as we expand our global network," said the firm's Australian general manager Steven Crowdey.

The launch cuts in on a flightpath previously only served by Australian flag-carrier Qantas, America's United Airlines and Virgin's V Australia.

Qantas reportedly takes up to 20 percent of its earnings from the route, which Singapore Airlines has sought to access for years.

Separately, Singapore's Tiger Airways on Friday launched budget flights on the busy Sydney to Melbourne route.