Possible AF service to CDG
 

I recently heard that Gov. Locke was talking to AF executives on a possible SEA-CDG service, does anyone have any info to verify this? Also what possible equipment would be used? I would love to see AF's 340's at SEA

The Port of Seattle is talking desperately to numerous overseas carriers, trying to entice somone, anyone. They just lost LH to PDX and the A-list Asian carriers (JL, CX, TH, etc.) have chosen YVR and SFO over SEA; SEA has the B-list Asians like EVA, Asiana and now China Airlines.

I read on the Virgin board that VS had looked hard at SEA over the past five years but didn't think the market would support a second n/s to LHR. Neither does UA, obviously, which holds SEA-LHR rights (as PA's successor) but hasn't exercised them since '92 or so. Note that a few summers ago BA had two 744s a day to LHR through here, but not this year.

As for AF... I have difficulty seeing it. Not enough O/D headcount in SEA itself for Paris. No SkyTeam feeder ops in the Northwest to build traffic. And if you're headed beyond Paris CDG is a horrible, horrible place to change planes. AMS is the best Eurohub and we have NW SEA-AMS. Even Copenhagen is better via SK.

The three Europe nonstops we have (BA, NW, SK) always seem to be crammed to bursting, and BA is charging demented summer holiday fares (+/- $2300 for a July RT), but nobody seems to think the Euro market can support a fourth player year-round.

UA used to run a 777 SEA-ORD-CDG, but now the SEA-ORD segment is a 757 and then the plane changes.

If AF did fly SEA-CDG, their brand new 777-300ERs would make perfect fits. :)

I would love to see UA resume SEA-LHR service using a 777. Our only international flight is to NRT, so if they brought us SEA-LHR and maybe SEA-HNL-KIX on a 777, they could make better utilization of the planes.

Yea I would love UA to use the 777 to LHR or to HNL-KIX, but even more I would want a UA 757 to JFK

well, northwest is now a skyteam-member with the new airfrance-klm group! so skyteam is represented in sea. but there is still some rumour that LH may switch their PDX service to SEA, will serve then MUC-SEA. SAS is always bursted and their is a demand. I had been on a SAS flight to SEA this summer and it was full booked in all classes most of the time during this summer

SEA-CDG on AF
 

I agree that it seems that all direct Europe service is bursting at the seams. Most folks I talk to about their flights all indicate that they run really full. I've heard Paris and France in general is one of the top destinations for Europe from this state. I'd also think that with the connections, we could be an AF feeder from PDX, Boise, Spokane, and even Montana, pretty large population base at that point. And I'd really like to see us get that service over YVR.

I'd be interested about other comments that Luhftansa is thinking of moving from PDX to SEA, are they losing the local PDX money to continue the service?

On a slightly different note, why can't we get Mexicana back in with service to Mexico City? We've had a boom in hispanic population lately. Or maybe time that AS took that service up.

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?

LH got subsidies from PDX (waived landing fees) and travel bank support from local businesses. Also, less competition at PDX with no other Europe flights. Portland has over 2 million in the metro area so should be able support the flight.
Also, Adidas North America is based in Portland and has a lot of employees traveling to Germany.
I think it does pretty well, particularly in summer. I took it round trip in May and November and it was very full both legs. Got upgraded from paid business to 1st in May using a united systemwide upgrade.

One interesting thing is that the FA on my May flight said it is the most requested city for flight attendants, so gets a very experienced crew. Probably because it is new destination. They like heading out to the waterfalls and Mt. Hood etc during their layover and get a good rental car rate from Avis.