Delta Air Lines continues aggressive expansion in Seattle

Atlanta-headquartered Delta Air Lines is continuing its aggressive expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with the addition of seven new non-stop routes during 2017.

New year-round destinations that will launch during 2017 include:
  • One daily flight to General Mitchell Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee, Wisc., beginning March 9.
  • Three daily flights to Mahlon Sweet Field (EUG) in Eugene, Ore., beginning April 1.
  • One daily flight to Nashville International Airport (BNA) beginning May 26.
  • One daily flight to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) beginning June 8.
  • One daily flight to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), and two daily flights to Roberts Field (RDM) in Redmond, Oregon, with both routes beginning June 12.
  • One daily flight to Lihue Airport (LIH) on Kauai, beginning Dec. 21.

Delta Seattle VP Mike Medeiros
“As we prepare for another year of significant growth at Sea-Tac, we’re pleased to offer customers access to more of the top business and leisure destinations, larger aircraft, and convenient flight schedules,” Mike Medeiros, Delta’s Vice President – Seattle, said in a statement announcing the new service.

Delta is the largest global carrier at Sea-Tac and has more than tripled flights and destinations at its Seattle hub since 2012. The addition of the new flights, which will be offered for sale starting Jan. 14, will make 2017 the fifth consecutive year of growth at Delta’s (NYSE:DAL) Pacific Northwest hub.

With those additions, Delta will offer 160 peak-day flights to 49 destinations from its Seattle hub this summer.

Flights to Austin and Nashville will operate using Airbus A319 aircraft, which have recently been upgraded and offer on-demand inflight entertainment for all passengers, the carrier noted.

Redmond and Eugene service will be operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest using two-class, 69-seat CRJ-700 jets. SkyWest will also operate Milwaukee service using an E-175 aircraft, while Delta will serve Lihue on a Boeing 757 and Raleigh on a Boeing 737 aircraft.

Virgin Atlantic Dreamliner
Photo provided by Virgin Atlantic
In addition to the new destinations, Delta will also expand service to existing destinations from Seattle, adding a second daily flight to Boston (BOS) and Orlando (MCO), an eighth daily flight to Portland, Ore., (PDX) as well as a fifth daily flight to San Diego (SAN). Additionally, several flights to San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DEN) will be upgraded to larger mainline aircraft, the carrier said.

Delta will achieve additional milestones in Seattle during 2017. On March 26, Delta’s joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic will begin Boeing (NYSE:BA) 787 Dreamliner service from Seattle to London-Heathrow (LHR), replacing the flight currently operated by Delta. The change will add 50 seats overall, including Premium Economy service which is not currently offered.

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