Delta Air Lines is continuing to assert its dominance in Seattle with the announcement of two new long-haul routes: nonstop service to Rome (FCO) beginning May 6, 2026, and Barcelona (BCN) launching May 7, 2025. These additions expand Delta’s global reach out of SEA and send a clear message to its local frenemy, Alaska Airlines. Delta wants to dominate long-haul flights from Seattle and will compete in EVERY Market with Alaska. As Delta has turned Seattle into a hub and focus Seattle, Delta is ready to take on Alaska Airlines at every turn and route, which will only make it harder for Alaska Airlines to Grow.
Delta Takes on Alaska Airlines to Europe
While barcelona is a smart strategic addition, the Rome route is the one that turns heads. Just weeks ago, Alaska Airlines made waves by announcing its first-ever service to Europe: a seasonal nonstop from Seattle to Rome set to begin May 23, 2026. But Delta, never one to be outdone on international prestige, has swooped in to claim bragging rights by launching its Rome flight two weeks earlier. That’s a major symbolic win in a city where both airlines are fiercely competing for premium travelers and international loyalty.
I predicted last week that Delta would steal Alaska’s thunder by launching Seattle to Rome first. And guess, what they are doing exact what I thought they would. Adding more capacity to Rome. Thus meaning a fare war is in the near future as Seattle will have over capacity on the route and drive down the costs. Will Alaska Airlines’ loyal Seattle flyers prop up this route, or will the business community flock towards Delta? Time will tell, but as we’ve seen from Alaska leadership, they don’t like competition and struggle to compete in many markets. We can point back to the failed expansion and routes at San Francisco after the Virgin America merger for prime examples. Alaska could not compete.
It doesn’t stop there. Alaska has also hinted that flights to Spain may be next on its transatlantic wish list. Although most people assume flights would be to Madrid, a major Oneworld hub for partner Iberia. This would allow for easy connections across Europe. Yet Delta is going with tourist heavy Barcelona. Why? Because Alaska Airlines is a leisure airlines and leisure destinations is where they mostly fly. Delta is trying to defend international traffic from Seattle and keep Alaska from growing in Seattle.
If and when Alaska announces it’s next European destination, , it wouldn’t be surprising to see Delta fast-track that route too—either directly or via its SkyTeam partner Air France-KLM—just to stay one step ahead.
Bottom Line
Delta’s Seattle hub continues to look more and more like a true global gateway, and with these two new launches, it’s clear the airline intends to lead the narrative—not follow it. Delta has the best lounges in Seattle, including 2 sky clubs and a Delta One premium Lounge. Delta also has the most robust network too. Delta has launched 28 new markets in the last ten years from Seattle and now operates nearly 180 peak-day departures to more than 60 destinations worldwide. Delta is fighting Alaska Airlines harder than ever and Seattle flyers are likely to win.
