Delta Airlines Eyes Expansion with New Asia Routes from U.S.

ATLANTA, Georgia — Delta Airlines is reportedly planning significant international expansion, focusing primarily on new non-stop routes to Asia from major U.S. cities. Aviation analyst JonNYC has revealed that Delta aims to launch flights from both New York‘s JFK and Los Angeles to Seoul, capitalizing on its joint venture with Korean Air.

The anticipated routes, including Los Angeles to Seoul-Incheon, enhance Delta’s connectivity across Asia, as stated by JonNYC. He also emphasized that Delta is not finished expanding its Asia networks from Seattle, implying that locations such as Singapore and Manila could be next on the list.

Delta’s current strategy emphasizes that its European routes are largely “pretty full,” thus redirecting focus to Asia and the Middle East for future service plans. This decision aligns with shifting travel dynamics in the U.S.-Asia markets, where demand has remained robust.

JonNYC highlighted the competitive landscape, noting that airlines like Alaska are becoming more aggressive in international routes from Seattle. Despite this competition, he believes Delta’s recent investments in widebody aircraft will allow for rapid service expansion, especially as they prepare to integrate new A350-1000s into their fleet.

While Delta had previously operated routes to destinations like Tokyo and Beijing before the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline’s current priority appears to be opening fresh connections rather than resuming prior routes. There are discussions about potential flights to cities like Kuala Lumpur as Delta reevaluates its existing international offerings.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and inconsistent travel regulations, Delta is positioning itself to reclaim market share and enhance its network across the Pacific. Gary Leff, a recognized expert in the field of travel and frequent flyer programs, comments on Delta’s strategic moves and how they might shape the competitive landscape in air travel.

The planned expansion underscores Delta’s ambition to be a leader in the trans-Pacific market, with extensive service expected from both the west coast and major hubs like New York City.