Delta Air Lines is considering a sizable expansion in its Asia market in the near future, with destinations such as Seoul, Singapore, and Manila.
According to One Mile at a Time, senior executives at Delta shared these upcoming plans internally, specifically noting that the airline’s European network is becoming full. Given this, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are seen as a better fit for new service and business.
The airline has already begun to tread this path this year, with the announcements of bringing back its Hong Kong service and a new route to Riyadh. Additionally, CEO Ed Bastian expressed his desire to return to India back in June, following the announcement of a new partnership involving Indigo, Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta. Specifics regarding this new India service will likely be announced once the airline begins receiving deliveries of A350-1000 aircraft.
Beyond these, new services to Seoul, Singapore, and Manila are reportedly being considered by the carrier.
Aviation insider JonNYC highlights that Delta’s new Asia flights will originate out of both Seattle and Los Angeles.
This comes at a time when Delta has specifically looked to build its Seattle hub, complemented by plans of a new Airbus A350 base, likely in response to Alaska Airlines’ new and fast international growth out of the city. However, this focus could have changed to an extent following the carrier’s plans to bring back its Los Angeles to Hong Kong service.
It’s perhaps difficult to ignore Alaska’s growing strength in Seattle with its upcoming Boeing 787s, in addition to the new Asia routes serviced by its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. Conversely, Los Angeles provides Delta with a strong network of connections, in addition to being a large origin and destination market.
Additionally, the Seoul service could see a launch from New York, which would mark the airline’s first Asia service from the city. This flight would double up its joint venture partner, Korean Air’s existing double daily service between the cities.
Just like the airline’s potential India service, these new destinations in East and Southeast Asia will also likely await new deliveries of Airbus A350s. Delta currently has six more Airbus A350-900s on order, as well as 20 Airbus A350-1000s.
Because of this, a firm and public announcement may come once the airline gets a confident delivery timeline from Airbus, as the A350-1000s have specifically been rumored to see delays. However, there is no doubt that these Asia markets are on Delta’s radar for expansion in the near future.
All photos taken by the author.
