Delta Doubles Down On Seattle With A350s: The Alaska Rivalry Heats Up

Delta’s bringing out the big guns in Seattle — literally. The airline has quietly started flying Airbus A350-900s out of SEA, with more long-haul expansion likely on the horizon. And if recent filings are any hint, it looks like this is just the beginning of a broader push.

Let’s dig into what’s changing, what it could mean for Seattle-based travelers, and how this plays into Delta’s ongoing turf war with Alaska Airlines.

Delta is now operating its flagship Airbus A350s from Seattle, including on long-haul routes to Seoul Incheon (ICN) and Tokyo Haneda (HND). That's a shift from Delta’s usual widebody strategy, which historically focused on hubs like Detroit, Atlanta, and Minneapolis.

What makes this more than just a route swap? Delta reportedly plans to open an A350 pilot base in Seattle — a strong sign that more A350 service could follow. The real headline here, though, is what the plane represents .

These aren’t just any long-haul aircraft. The A350 is Delta’s top-shelf ride: you get lie-flat Delta One Suites, Premium Select , and an economy product that’s... fine. Personally, I think the A350 is one of the best planes flying today in terms of comfort, noise level, and cabin pressure. Putting it in SEA tells me Delta isn’t playing around, they’re serious about scaling up international ambitions from the Pacific Northwest.

Delta’s flagship A350 now flying out of Seattle, the battle for long-haul supremacy begins

Delta One Suites: A serious upgrade for Seattle flyers headed to Asia

Let’s be honest: SEA is a crowded field. We've got Alaska dominating domestic short-hauls, Delta pushing global connectivity, and a loyal local customer base that doesn’t switch carriers lightly.

But Delta’s been playing the long game here for a while. Remember, they:

Opened a Sky Club flagship lounge in Seattle (and a Delta One Lounge is coming)

Built a joint venture with Korean Air , giving seamless Asia connectivity

Gradually added transpacific routes from SEA, eating away at Alaska’s relevance for international flyers

Putting A350s into this mix tells me Delta’s now ready to scale those investments.

Seattle’s Sea-Tac is ground zero for the Delta–Alaska turf war

If you read my earlier breakdown of the Delta-Alaska tension , you’ll know how messy this gets. Delta used to be Alaska’s best buddy in SEA. They codeshared, they cooperated… and then Delta went solo, turning partnership into competition.

Today, the roles are clearer.

Delta dominates the long-haul front. They’ve got A350s, transpacific joint ventures, and a global alliance network. The airline offers nonstop flights to Tokyo, Seoul, and beyond, and they’re doing it with some of the best aircraft in the sky.

Alaska , on the other hand, still owns the domestic game . They have a bigger footprint across the West Coast, a deeply loyal customer base in the region, and a cost structure that’s leaner and more nimble than Delta’s.

To their credit, Alaska isn’t sitting idle. They’ve launched Tokyo Narita , have Seoul Incheon on deck for September 2025, and Rome lined up for May 2026. They’re actively turning Seattle into a global gateway. But right now, they’re still outgunned internationally.

Adding the A350 is Delta’s latest flex, a signal that they’re not just here to compete, they’re here to lead. And with a potential A350 pilot base and new Asia routes on the table, they’re clearly not backing down. They’re betting that premium capacity and global reach will win over Seattle’s business travelers.

Here’s how I’d frame it:

For Seattle-based travelers, this is great news — at least in the short term. You get more long-haul options, better aircraft, and another reason to seriously consider SkyMiles (even if the program gets devalued every few months...).

Here’s what Delta’s A350 presence means in practical terms:

Better premium cabins (Delta One Suites are a serious upgrade)

More award availability (maybe, but it’s still SkyMiles… so manage expectations)

More international nonstop options from a traditionally domestic-heavy airport

That said, I wouldn’t get too excited just yet. Don’t expect cheaper fares. Delta isn’t trying to undercut Alaska. They are trying to pull a different customer base: business travelers and premium leisure flyers heading to Asia and beyond, and they’re pricing accordingly.

I’d love to see if this could eventually lead to lower prices through competition, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Let’s be real: Delta doesn’t see Seattle as a shared space anymore. This is a Delta hub, full stop.

They’ve got the global routes, the fleet, and now the flagship aircraft. If Alaska wants to stay competitive, they’ll have to think bigger than West Coast short-haul flights and loyalty promos.

For now, Delta’s winning the international game. But Alaska’s not going down without a fight. I’m betting we see some serious counterpunches soon.

Delta flying A350s out of Seattle is a bold signal. Whether it’s about reviving international growth, pressuring Alaska, or simply optimizing A350 utilization, it’s a clear sign Delta’s doubling down on SEA.

I’ll be watching closely to see how this expansion plays out. Is this a full reboot of Delta’s SEA strategy? Or is it just a flash of ambition before pulling back again?

Either way, for now, Seattle flyers can enjoy one of the best business class products in the sky, without having to connect through Detroit. And honestly? More A350s in the U.S. is always a win in my book.