With oil prices a little bit high, do you see at least 1 of the current players (most likely Delta) ending SEA-TPE?

We've mentioned this earlier in the thread, but unlikely that DL would end DL68/69. And its recent load factors are actually better than JX CI and BR.

My mother is actually flying it because the schedule for DL allows for easy transit to the US East coast.

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.

Will she be utilizing IAD-TPE?

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.

Well, fuel price affect all the airlines. I am not sure if it's better to leave the plane on the ground than flying somewhere? Like I said in the previous post, is there somewhere that's more profitable for Delta to fly from Seattle without more US-China routes over the pacific?

Though, I still believe if any airline is going to fold on this route, it will be Delta (but it remains to be seen).

She flies tomorrow. The BR service to IAD does not start until mid-summer. Neither parent has future travel plans, but the mother can't stand long flights. She flew to TPE a few weeks ago on CI from SEA and that was overall fine except for the complete disorganisation of getting a boarding card at SEA ("complete chaos, no queuing"), but at the limit of how long a flight segment she can handle given her age. The father can sleep on any plane so the direct flight from IAD might be a possibility.

Slightly OT, but my mother had a good experience on the trip TPE - SEA - DCA. On board service on DL68 was good (three menu choices, wow !) and the correspondance at SEA was quick and smooth. Only had 1h25 at SEA but she said it was a breeze to do a DL - DL since apparently contr�le passeport spits you out at the A gates which is where her onward flight was.

Man, you guys outside Europe have it good. European airlines are on a race to the bottom, AF only serves a hot inedible snack in a paper box as the 2nd offering even on 14h flights; apparently a 2nd full meal is too much workload for French flight attendants.

Try an I to D connection at ORD or YYZ some time, and get back to us.

I meant the in-flight service.

I haven't been to the US/don't plan to go for the future, but I know it can be painful. ATL is not so bad except if it's your final destination.

Why are you in Europe?
The Europe-USA market service is likely the worse of all (if we discount intra-Euro and domestic US).

Was DL68 fare competitive? DL usually only put dirt cheap fares on the West Coast.

To be honest, I don't find European carriers very good either. But I'm surprised Delta had proper food offerings, usually their pre-landing meal is tiny.

My last few flights in D1 have been half-sized meals like a sandwich/soup with a tiny side on a smaller tray.

She bought her ticket on trip.com, so the IAD - TPE was on AS and CI, while the reverse was on DL. Was a much better fare than buying a ticket with one single airline (I dunno what she paid).

That's a very interesting fare. AS+CI/DL+DL, IAD-SEA-TPE/TPE-SEA-DCA?

Trip.com is probably one of the few OTA that can put a complex itn together. One just hope that it doesn't go wrong cause finding an alternative on such ticket could be very challenging.

Yup that was the itinerary.