Delta Outlines Planned Network Growth from Seattle

Delta Air Lines has revealed plans to enhance its Transpacific and Transatlantic schedules from Seattle Tacoma International Airport, including the expected launch of a new routes to Shanghai Pu Dong and Tokyo Haneda, subject to US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulatory approval.

"Delta's expansion in Seattle will link this important West Coast city even closer with key markets in Asia, boosting its economy, creating jobs and providing benefits to travelers across the Pacific Northwest region," said Richard Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Delta Air Lines.

Delta has this week filed an application with the DOT to offer a daily non-stop service between Seattle and Shanghai, effective June 17, 2013. The proposed new flight will be Delta's second route between Seattle and China, following its Beijing route which began in 2010. The US carrier plans to operate the flight with a 208-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring 36 full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite, 29 seats in Economy Comfort and in 143 Economy.

In addition, Delta filed an application earlier this summer to begin non-stop service between Seattle and Haneda Airport in Tokyo. The DOT is currently considering Delta's application along with competing Haneda requests by other carriers. The proposed Seattle-Haneda flight would complement Delta's existing service between Seattle and Narita Airport in Tokyo and will be operated with a 767-300ER from March 31, 2013.

Whatever the outcome of the DOT, Delta will also boost capacity between Seattle and Tokyo by deploying its flagship 747-400 on the Seattle – Tokyo Narita route. The 376-seat aircraft, featuring 48 full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite, 42 Economy Comfort seats and 286 Economy seats, is expected to come on line from June 1, 2013. Delta will be the only US passenger carrier to operate the 747-400 from Seattle Tacoma International Airport, although both British Airways and EVA Air operate the type on their own flights to London Heathrow and Taipei Taoyuan, respectively.

In addition to bringing the 747 to Seattle, Delta will deploy 767-300 jets with fully upgraded interiors on flights to Paris, Beijing and Osaka, Japan, effective October 28, 2012. These aircraft feature the same in-flight amenities as the 747-400, including full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite, expanded overhead bin space and individual in-flight entertainment throughout the aircraft. By next summer the airline will operate more than 40 daily flights to 15 destinations worldwide from Seattle.

This network growth will be supported by Delta’s relationship with fellow US carrier Alaska Airlines at Seattle Tacoma International, allowing strong connection opportunities across the Americas to the long-haul network. Under an extensive codesharing agreement, Delta customers can access more than 50 markets beyond Seattle via Alaska's domestic hub, while Alaska customers in the Pacific Northwest have access to more than 60 domestic Delta destinations, including extensive options over Delta's Atlanta and Minneapolis-St. Paul hubs.

"About 1,200 travelers connect on Alaska and Delta flights in Seattle every day," said Brad Tilden, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Airlines. "We're very pleased to offer them a seamless flying experience, highlighted by our renowned customer service. We're also looking forward to providing travelers with new flying options to Asia on Delta that will feature significantly enhanced onboard amenities."

Alongside the long-haul network changes, Delta is to increase its offering on the Seattle – New York John F Kennedy International route with an additional fifth non-stop rotation from June 1, 2013. This route is operated with a mix of 757-200ER and 767-300ER aircraft that will be fitted with the upgraded BusinessElite cabin, matching what the airline already offers on trans-continental flight from Los Angeles and San Francisco to New York.

The table below highlights the key role the two airlines play at Seattle Tacoma International Airport, accounting for a 61.7 per cent share of the total seat capacity this month and 64.9 per cent of the flight departures, when Alaska Airlines’ Horizon Air subsidiary is included in the analysis.