As someone who frequently travels to SEA (used to live there and it is closest thing I have to "home"), having some additional direct services to Europe would be SO welcome in terms of introducing more competition and extra seats. Everyone is correct that direct services are bursting at the seams, and SEA is something of a backwater for direct international connections. SEA is getting almost as bad as JNB (although that airport has about 15-20 daily direct services to Europe).

The SEA route is so lucrative for BA that it was one of the first airports in the North America to receive a brand new dedicated lounge with seperate F and J sections (it is a great lounge with great views). I am sure that there must be sufficient demand for at least one more direct service to Europe.

I was quite shocked that Portland got the direct LH service though; anyone know why, considering SEA is relatively larger with more "important" industries?