Delta Air Lines gives Alaska Airlines competition in sought-after Seattle

Delta Air Lines was a key beneficiary of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent release of slots for off-airport flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). With the DOT’s approval, five new daily round-trip flights have been authorized to operate from destinations further afield than the usual 1,250-mile radius, with Delta Air Lines choosing Seattle.

Delta now flies to DCA from all US hubs

As Simple Flying reported earlier this week, the slots outside the perimeter were in high demand, with the DOT prioritizing routes that were either not served or would have a positive impact on competition. Ultimately, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines each took home one slot, with Delta used to fly to Seattle Tacoma (SEA).

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

For Delta Air Lines, the launch of this new transcontinental corridor, which will begin operations on March 9 next year, represents more than just another route in its extensive U.S. domestic network. In fact, the route’s addition is the final piece of the puzzle if it about the connection Washington National Airport
with all its US hubs. Glen Hauenstein, President of Delta Air Lines, stated:

“Seattle is a key market for our customers, an important hub for Delta and a premier gateway to the West Coast. Delta commends the Department of Transportation for recognizing that DCA’s additional service to Seattle will provide consumers with the much-needed competition and choice they deserve.” “We look forward to launching a new premium DCA service in March to start service.”

Breaking Alaska Airlines’ monopoly

Delta’s announcement of its new route from Washington National Airport Seattle Tacoma International
highlighted the fact that the Pacific Northwest City DCAs “largest out-perimeter marketGiven this fact and the fact that the corridor is currently underserved, according to Delta Air Lines, the addition of the airline’s upcoming daily flights on the route makes operational sense.

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Delta Air Lines

IATA/ICAO code

DL/DAL

Founding year

1929

Photo: Wenjie Zheng | Shutterstock

Alaska Airlines currently has a monopoly on the route between Washington National and Seattle, operating two daily flights each way. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, coverage of the route is split Boeing
737-800 and 737 MAX 8, with the former being the dominant variant. Delta’s presence will benefit both passengers and businesses, as the airline explains:

Photo: Eliyahu Yosef Parypa | Shutterstock

The addition of the new route to Washington National Airport is part of a broader investment program by Delta Air Lines regarding the airline’s operations in Seattle. In fact, the airline is also encouraging growth when it comes to long-haul flights from the Pacific Northwest hub and is planning a replacement airbus
A330 on its Asian routes with A350, resulting in 55,000 seats per year and more premium options.

Delta also serves Washington Dulles International Airport from Seattle

When Delta launches its new flights from Seattle to Washington National Airport in March, all three of its western hubs will have nonstop service to the facility. Currently, the airline’s Beyond Perimeter offering at DCA consists of four slots, split into arrival and departure slots on routes from the airport to Los Angeles International (LAX) and Salt Lake City (SLC).

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

However, the airline already flies nonstop between Seattle and DC in the form of its flights to the city’s Dulles International Airport (IAD). This December, Delta has scheduled 35 flights in each direction on this transcontinental corridor using Airbus A220s. In the meantime, the new Seattle – Washington National routes will be served by the A321neo. Delta’s SEA-IAD competitors are:

• Alaska Airlines (54 flights in each direction in December 2024).

• United Airlines (46 flights in each direction in December 2024).