Delta Air launches Australian route

A Delta Air plane in flight.

AAP

THE battle for air passengers on the busy Australia-US route has grown hotter with US airline giant Delta launching its inaugural Los Angeles to Sydney flight.

The flight is scheduled to leave LA international airport at 10.35pm LA time on Wednesday (3.35pm Thursday AEST).

Delta plans to steal market share from the dominant airlines on the route, Qantas and United Airlines and another newcomer, Richard Branson's recently-launched V Australia.

The increased competition has slashed fares.

With Delta beginning flights from the US to Australia it becomes the only US carrier to offer service to six continents.

To celebrate the occasion, Delta partnered with Tourism Australia to stage a 'pre-boarding party' at the airport for the 278 passengers booked on the flight.

Qantas is famous for its flying kangaroo insignia but Delta had its own marsupial for the party.

A real kangaroo attended the party.