What happens with Delta in Seattle given the Alaska developments?
 

Alaska and Hawaiian just unveiled their long-haul strategy. Of all the U.S. carriers, this new strategy most affects DL since AS/HA are basing widebody planes out of Seattle, which is a DL hub. Looking at the investor slides, it is clear that AS will have a superior long-haul network compared to DL (Right now DL has HND, ICN, PVG, TPE, AMS, CDG, and LHR). This begs the question, what will DL do in Seattle now that their biggest competitor there unveiled a huge growth plan? My thoughts are that DL will start competing again in Seattle. After DL lost its JV partner in the South Pacific (Virgin Australia), rather than ending the one flight they had to the region (7x weekly LAX-SYD), they expanded their presence in Australia/New Zealand (DL now has 11x weekly LAX-SYD, 7x weekly LAX-AKL, and as of last week, 3x weekly LAX-BNE). I'd like to hear people's thoughts on this.

I just hope DL will resume service to YYJ.

For reference, the AS press release is here. https://news.alaskaair.com/destinati...ealed%20later.

It’s light on specifics and they’re talking 2030. There’s at least one recession between now and then, as well as other economic insecurities.

Unless SEA magically finds itself some property, there won’t be a lot of expansion; if anything, it will eventually be a larger version of LGA or DCA ops where an airline is limited by gate space and will have to make difficult choices on what flights actually make sense vs which ones excite armchair CEOs on social media.

Might be a good idea to posting the link of the story.

As for the competition, AS will launch flights to NRT and ICN from SEA in 2025 using HA A332. DL now flies to HND, which is more desirable Tokyo airport by traveling public but limited due to no current partner in Japan. DL's ICN can connect to many other KE destinations and is still better all-around. One thing going for HA is the currently limited JAL marketing partnership in NRT. I'm sure HA will expand further its JAL partnership when it becomes a full OW member. Until then, HA/AS, for now, will be a minimal impact in 2025.

2026 will likely see HA/AS beginning more new flights, Europe and Asia. With HA's entry into OW alliance in the works for 2026, DL will begin to see some impact.

Jiburi

HA has 12 787's on order with options for 8 more and hilariously not many of them will touch the state of Hawaii in a given day based on AS plans to fly to Europe and Asia by 2030.

I'm hoping for a protracted fare war between DL and AS. We customers would win in that case.

Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers and Brett Snyder did an extended interview with Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci on the merger. I found it fascinating including an extended discussion on Seattle and Delta. My takeaway is this is going to be a bloodbath for Delta. Alaska enjoys higher loyalty in Seattle than just about any airline anywhere. They are very well run and as profitable as Delta.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4hit5jBiOq8jV2Y7chuSYz

Has been going on for many years at this point, and will no doubt continue. Would definitely love to see it spread to international flights.

This - there is a reason why ATL, being the DL headquarters, still doesn't have a D1 lounge (at least yet) - virtually, no competition for DL. Whereas, JFK and LAX...very different story.

outside of their IT department, if the chatter on the AS FT board is any indication …

It's pretty crazy this meger turned Alaska into a carrier with basically the same fleet families at Delta: E175, 717, 737, A321neo, A330 and 787 instead of A350.

When will AS paint over the HA livery and consolidate the two carriers?

Some planes will change liveries. But both brands, and both liveries, will remain

From what I could tell from listening to "The Airshow" podcast, everything that goes to and from Hawaii will be HA and everything else will be AS.

Please stay on topic…. Delta. The last few posts belong in the AS forum.

Many thanks!