Originally Posted by
eponymous_coward
I could see DL/VS trying SEA-LHR again, if the AS partnership is there, though it flopped when NW tried it- too much capacity with BA in the market as well.
If they did, though, let's see: LHR, AMS, NRT, HND, CDG, KIX, PEK, plus ICN on KE. Pretty impressive for a city that isn't even officially a DL focus city, let alone a hub.
Even more so when you add in the non-SkyTeam international longhauls: DXB, FRA, TPE, LHR, KEF, plus multiple airlines on ICN and NRT.
According to some of the leadership of DL's SEA operations, DL officially considers SEA to be an international gateway rather than a hub or focus city. One of Richard Anderson's main goals upon becoming CEO of DL was to modernize its SEA operations in order to make it a premier international gateway for DL. Adding service to LHR would complement this strategy very nicely.
Adding VS as an AS partner would be very beneficial, especially if a combined AA/US decides that it doesn't need the West Coast feed that AS provides. AS seems to partner with just about every international airline that serves SEA and isn't part of the Star Alliance, so VS service* to SEA would definitely fit the bill.
*As seen with both AF and KLM out of SEA, Delta would probably want to fly any SEA-LHR flights with its own aircraft.