Delta boosts Seattle-Asia routes with Airbus A350, eyes expansion

Delta Air Lines is upping the ante in the Pacific Northwest aviation scene, rolling out its flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft across several transpacific routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, reports *One Mile at a Time.* The airline’s move, widely seen as a direct response to Alaska Airlines’ growing international ambitions, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing “battle in Seattle.”

As of late May, Delta has swapped out its Airbus A330-900neos for A350-900s on routes to Taipei, Seoul, and Tokyo, significantly increasing premium seating while maintaining or slightly reducing economy capacity. The standard A350-900 seats 306 passengers with an expanded premium cabin, offering a competitive product against Alaska's newly announced routes to Tokyo Narita, Seoul Incheon (launching September 2025), and Rome (launching May 2026).

Delta’s strategic shift doesn’t end with hardware; JonNYC reports that the airline is planning an A350 pilot base in Seattle for spring 2026, underscoring a possible long-term commitment to expanding its long-haul footprint.

Industry observers note, however, that some of Delta’s transpacific routes—particularly to Taipei—have struggled with low load factors. Whether these upgrades reflect strong market performance or a bold play for market share remains an open question. The rivalry with Alaska, with its strong local following and larger domestic network, promises to keep the pressure high.