Originally Posted by
mlin32
My mother is actually flying it because the schedule for DL allows for easy transit to the US East coast.
Will she be utilizing IAD-TPE?
Originally Posted by
rudyjb
A one way ticket on a random date in June for Delta on SEA-TPE in economy is under $800. Usually load factors alone don't determine profitability of a route.
It doesn't, but nothing has drastically changed in the past year where it warrants a cut. DL continues to undersell, but one way just under $800 is no where near horrible (the Taiwanese usually 1-200 more expensive if we look at one way purchased in a round trip for summer). The 2027 launch of LAX-MNL has almost nothing to do with SEA-TPE in terms of markets captured. Unless we see some new openings in the US-China direct routes, there aren't many places for Delta to move this flight from.
The only recent event that may be involved is CI/JX starting PHX, which may take some cargo and/or frequent travelers away from DL/UA. It's just market shift. The more the direct flights (such as IAD) the Taiwanese offer to major cities, the less transfer markets the American Airlines can funnel. Delta is also doing exactly the same to the Taiwanese carriers, by offering direct flights to Philippines to take market share from PR+BR/CI/JX.