Jul 23, 2013

Delta to launch nonstop Seattle-London service in March


In anticipation of receiving antitrust immunity later this year for its joint venture with Virgin Atlantic Airways, Delta Air Lines say its will offer new daily nonstop service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to London Heathrow Airport beginning March 29, 2014. Tickets will be available for purchase as of Saturday, July 27.

Delta announced last December that it planned to acquire a 49 percent stake in London-based Virgin Atlantic. The carriers last month obtained unconditional clearance from the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice to proceed with the investment transaction. Now both are awaiting expected U.S. Department of Transportation approval of antitrust immunity to implement their joint venture. 

Delta will operate Seattle-London Heathrow service using a 210-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with 35 full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite, 32 seats in Economy Comfort and 143 Economy class seats. 

Flights will leave Seattle at 6:40 p.m. and arrive in London at 12:05 p.m. the following day. Departing London flights will leave at 12:20 p.m. and arrive in Seattle at 2:40 p.m. on the same day. 

The new service means competition for British Airways, presently the only carrier offering nonstop flights between Seattle and London.

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