Delta's Non Stop Seattle-Hong Kong Service Takes Off - Analyst Blog

Premier passenger carrier Delta Airlines Inc. DAL has further strengthened its Seattle hub by launching a non-stop service to Hong Kong on June 16. The addition of Hong Kong makes it the ninth long-haul international destination from the coastal city.

Scheduled departure time of the flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport SEA is 2.24 pm while arrival at Hong Kong is 7.35 pm on the next day. The return flight leaves Hong Kong at 10.25 am local time and is scheduled to reach Seattle on the same day.

The Atlanta-based airline will operate flights on the Hong-Kong route six days a week with Sunday as the only exception. Delta will operate a 234 capacitor Airbus 330-200 aircraft for the route having both business and economy class cabins along with in-flight Wi-Fi service.

The passenger carrier has fortified its position in Seattle by adding several international and domestic routes, and is building the coastal city as a key part of its Pacific network restructuring. In the last one year, Delta has enhanced its peak day departures by 30% and expects to emerge as Seattle's fastest growing airline by Dec 2014. Recently, the carrier announced its plans to add skiing destinations like Spokane, Calgary and Bozeman from Seattle.

Delta already connects Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul to Seattle. With Hong Kong also in its kitty, the carrier now offers services to all the five leading commercial destinations of Asia. Post this new route, Delta now has 2,500 daily seats to offer to top business markets across Europe and Asia from Seattle.

Further, to lure passengers to fly from SEA, the carrier has also launched a double miles promotion for SkyMiles members from Seattle. This will allow customers to collect double miles while flying to and from the coastal city.

Notably Hong Kong is a major financial hub in Asia. We believe Delta has initiated its latest service to tap corporate customers looking for a hassle-free travel from the U.S. to Asia, and alongside, boost up performance in the Pacific region.

Delta currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Other stocks also worth considering within this sector are Southwest Airlines Co. LUV, American Airlines Group Inc. AAL and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. HA, all of which sport the same Zacks Rank as Delta.