Delta submits application to the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide non-stop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Delta Air Lines has formally submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate daily, nonstop service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA).

The application is in response to the recently enacted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill, which authorizes five new round-trip flights at DCA with beyond-perimeter status. Due to the federal perimeter rule at DCA, carriers are prohibited from flying beyond 1,250 miles with very few exceptions. 

Delta’s full application can be viewed here.

Competition is key:

• A daily round-trip flight from SEA-DCA will introduce critical competition and create consumer choice between the two markets.
• With more than 600 daily local passengers, Seattle is the largest market beyond the DCA perimeter that is served exclusively by one airline.
• By awarding two slot exemptions to Delta for use on the DCA-SEA route, DOT would also honor Congressional intent to increase competition and rebalance an unlevel playing field at DCA that is tilted heavily in favor of American and Alaska, enabling Delta to deliver competitive, reliable, and high-quality service on a crucial transcontinental route.
• Currently, Delta has only two beyond-perimeter DCA slot pairs and is unable to serve DCA from all three of its western U.S. hubs; (Delta operates flights from DCA to LAX and SLC, but not to SEA.)
• American and Alaska, however, serve DCA from all their western hubs (Los Angeles and Phoenix for American; Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle for Alaska).
• This competitive imbalance is worsened by the fact that American has not only the most beyond perimeter flights (6), but also the most flexible beyond perimeter slot-pairs (2).

Delta flight 555:

• Delta proposes to operate a daily nonstop roundtrip flight between DCA and SEA (flight DL 555) using modern, quiet, and fuel-efficient A321neo aircraft equipped with 194 seats and featuring superior onboard products including free Wi-Fi for all SkyMiles members, wireless in-flight entertainment, seats with enhanced privacy and comfort, power ports, and spacious overhead bins – and would advance Delta’s and the DOT’s shared sustainability goals.
  • Delta’s eastbound flight will depart SEA at 8:00am and arrive at DCA at 4:00pm.
  • Delta’s westbound flight will depart DCA at 5:00pm and arrive at SEA at 8:00pm.  
• Delta will launch its new DCA-SEA route within 60 days following the issuance of a final order selecting Delta’s proposal.

Support for SEA-DCA is strong:

• Delta has already received strong support for its DCA-SEA flight from airports, labor groups, organizations, elected officials, and businesses including the Port of Seattle, Spokane International Airport, Eugene Airport, the Delta Master Executive Council, Air Line Pilots Association International, Sens. Curtis King, John Lovick, Marko Liias, and Patty Kuderer of the WA State Senate, Reps. Andrew Barkis, Tom Dent, David Hackney, and Chipalo Street of the WA State Legislature, Pierce County, WA, City of Redmond, WA  City of Tacoma, WA, Lummi Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Adidas, American Express, Columbia Sportswear Company, Deloitte, Fortive, Lockton Companies, Madrona, Microsoft Alumni Network, NBBJ, T-Mobile  and Zillow Group.

SEA is a World-Class West Coast hub:

• Delta’s Investment in SEA Has transformed the airport into a World-Class West Coast Hub.
• Since 2012, Delta has made substantial financial and network investments in SEA to transform it into one of the world’s leading airports, growing its SEA seat capacity by over 260% with 47 new domestic and international destinations over the last 12 years.
• In total, Delta now operates over 150 peak day departures from SEA to 60 destinations worldwide.

Delta’s leads the industry in people, products, services and reliability:

• Delta’s operational and customer excellence – powered by the dedication, passion, and professionalism of its people – has propelled Delta to become America’s most-awarded airline.
• Delta’s operational reliability consistently outperforms its network rivals, United and American, in on-time arrivals, completion factor (i.e., cancellations), and baggage handling.
• Delta is the top-ranked airline in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airline satisfaction study for both the first/business class and premium economy segments.
• Delta is also an award-winning place to work, built on a culture of caring for its employees.
• The Delta Difference has earned Delta the distinction of being the only airline listed on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For and high marks on Forbes’ World’s Best Employers (#18) and America’s Best Large Employers (#5) lists.