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Old Mar 17, 2026 | 9:41 am
  #515  
rudyjb
 
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 233
Originally Posted by coolfish1103
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.
I was thinking less about the launch of LAX-MNL and more about the higher fuel/oil prices caused by the situation in the Middle East as a factor that could determine long term viability of SEA-TPE for Delta. That said, it might look bad for Delta to axe any long-haul out of SEA at this time given that their long-haul network there right now is not exactly huge and their main competitor in Seattle is looking at expanding their long-haul network.
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