Tag Archives: Seattle/Tacoma

Virgin America produces a second quarter GAAP net profit of $65.0 million

Virgin America (San Francisco) today reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2015. Key highlights from the second quarter include:

Second quarter 2015 net income was $64.4 million excluding special items1, an increase of $27.5 million from the second quarter of 2014. Operating income and operating margin excluding special items were $67.1 million and 16.7 percent, respectively.
On a GAAP basis, net income was $65.0 million. Operating income and operating margin on a GAAP basis were $67.7 million and 16.9 percent, respectively.
Fully diluted earnings per share excluding special items was $1.46. On a GAAP basis, fully diluted earnings per share was $1.47.

“Our latest quarterly results are an affirmation of Virgin America’s business model – specifically, they demonstrate that we can deliver a better product and guest experience while also generating strong financial returns,” said David Cush, Virgin America’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The progress we have made on financial performance over the past two years is remarkable, and we continue to outperform domestic industry unit revenue trends. Our guests love the outstanding product and service that our teammates provide and it shows in our financial results.”

The airline continued:

Second Quarter 2015 Financial Highlights

Operating Revenue: Total operating revenue was $400.9 million, an increase of 0.5 percent over second quarter of 2014.
Revenue per Available Seat Mile (RASM): Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 0.5 percent compared to the second quarter 2014, to 11.24 cents. Year-over-year PRASM growth was driven by a 0.2 point increase in load factor and a 0.3 percent increase in yield. Total RASM increased 0.6 percent year-over-year. Virgin America’s PRASM was positively impacted by a $3.2 million adjustment related to Elevate loyalty revenue, which increased PRASM by 0.9 percent.
Cost per Available Seat Mile (CASM): Total CASM excluding special items decreased 5.1 percent compared to the second quarter of 2014, to 10.43 cents. Decreases in fuel costs and reduced heavy maintenance activity contributed to the decline in CASM, partially offset by increases in salaries, wages and benefits. Salaries, wages and benefits costs included a $6.7 million accrual for teammate profit sharing and related payroll taxes. CASM excluding special items, fuel costs and profit sharing for the quarter increased 7.1 percent year-over-year, to 7.27 cents.
Fuel Expense: Virgin America realized an average economic fuel cost per gallon including taxes and the impact of hedges of $2.20, which was 29.3 percent lower year-over-year. This amount includes certain fuel expense adjustments described as special items below.
Special Items: Special items in the second quarter of 2015 relate to a net $0.6 million adjustment for fuel hedges that settled during the second quarter of 2015 but for which unrealized gains or losses had been previously recorded under GAAP and mark-to-market adjustments for fuel hedges that mature subsequent to June 30, 2015 which did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.
Operating Income: Second quarter 2015 operating income excluding special items was $67.1 million, an increase of $20.0 million as compared to 2014. The Company’s operating margin excluding special items of 16.7 percent improved by 4.9 points year-over-year.
Net Income: Net income excluding special items for the second quarter increased by $27.5 million year-over-year to $64.4 million.
Fully Diluted EPS: Fully diluted earnings per share excluding special items was $1.46 for the second quarter of 2015. Second quarter 2015 fully diluted earnings per share was $1.47 on a GAAP basis.
Capacity: Available seat miles (ASMs) for the second quarter of 2015 remained flat year-over-year compared with the second quarter of 2014. Virgin America ended the quarter with 53 Airbus A320-family aircraft, unchanged from the second quarter of 2014. Subsequent to quarter end, the Company took delivery of the first of five Airbus A320 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2015.
Liquidity: Unrestricted cash was $500.5 million as of June 30, 2015. Virgin America benefited from the release of cash collateral held by its credit card processors in addition to strong operating cash flow performance to generate a net increase of $82.2 million in unrestricted cash during the quarter. The new agreement with its credit card processors also allowed the Company to terminate a $100 million letter of credit facility, resulting in ongoing annual savings of approximately $5.5 million per year.

“Virgin America made great strides in improving its balance sheet and financial position during the second quarter of 2015,” said Peter Hunt, Virgin America’s Chief Financial Officer. “We increased our unrestricted cash balance by $82 million during the quarter thanks to strong operating cash flow and the release of collateral held by our credit card partners. We also terminated a financing facility that will save us over $5 million in financing costs annually. In addition, we arranged bank debt financing for five A320 aircraft deliveries occurring later in 2015 at interest rates that will average under five percent. These accomplishments will continue to reduce Virgin America’s cost of capital and position us for future earnings growth.”

Second Half 2015 Outlook

The Company’s expectations for the second half of 2015 and full year 2016 are based on currently available information. These expectations are forward-looking, and actual results could differ materially depending on market conditions and the factors set forth under “Forward-Looking Statements” below. You should not place undue reliance upon these expectations.

The Company expects capacity, as measured by available seat miles, to increase by approximately 2.0 percent to 3.0 percent for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014. Based on current revenue trends, the Company expects PRASM to decrease between 2.0 percent and 4.0 percent versus the third quarter of 2014. The Company expects CASM excluding fuel and profit sharing to increase between 10.5 percent and 11.5 percent versus the third quarter of 2014. CASM excluding fuel and profit sharing is increasing in the third quarter due primarily to Virgin America’s previously announced pay and benefit initiatives that were implemented earlier in the year. Third quarter CASM excluding fuel and profit sharing will also be impacted by a decrease in average stage length year over year of approximately 8.0 percent resulting from previously implemented capacity at Dallas — Love Field. In addition, the company expects to incur additional maintenance costs during the quarter related to an engine maintenance overhaul.

Based on Virgin America’s hedge portfolio and current market prices for aviation fuel products, the Company expects Virgin America’s economic fuel cost per gallon inclusive of related taxes and hedge costs to average between $1.90 and $2.00 for the third quarter of 2015. This number may change depending on fluctuations in market prices for jet fuel during the quarter.

Virgin America is scheduled to take delivery of five A320 aircraft during the second half of 2015, and expects to place four aircraft into operational service prior to year-end. The Company currently expects fourth quarter 2015 capacity to increase between 9.0 percent and 10.0 percent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. In addition, the company expects CASM excluding fuel and profit sharing to increase between 2.0 percent and 3.0 percent for the fourth quarter of 2015.

2016 Initial Outlook

The Company has completed its preliminary fleet and capacity plans for 2016. Virgin America currently expects to take delivery of an additional five A320 aircraft between January and June 2016. In addition, Virgin America does not expect to retire any existing aircraft from its fleet, ending 2016 with 63 aircraft in its operating fleet.

Further, the Company currently expects capacity, as measured by available seat miles, to increase between 13% and 15% for the full year 2016. The Company is also targeting for its CASM excluding fuel costs and profit sharing to decrease between 1% and 2% for the full year 2016 based on these fleet and capacity projections.

1 Please see “GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations” for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures used in this release and the reasons management uses these measures.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Virgin America will end 2016 with 63 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. Airbus A320-214 N844VA (msn 4851) taxies to the runway at Seattle-tacoma International Airport bound for the San Francisco hub.

Virgin America aircraft slide show:

Virgin America Route Map (click the map for the full size):

Hawaiian reports second quarter adjusted net income of $37.5 million

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc, (Hawaiian Airlines) (Honolulu) has reported the financial results of its second quarter:

GAAP net income of $48.8 million or $0.79 per diluted share.
Adjusted net income, reflecting economic fuel expense and excluding loss on extinguishment of debt, of $37.5 million or $0.61 per diluted share, an increase of $15.1 million or $0.26 cents per diluted share year-over-year.
Adjusted pre-tax margin of 10.7% compared to 6.4% in the prior year period.
Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $606 million.
Lowered leverage ratio to 3.4x.

“We are pleased with the results for the quarter,” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines president and chief executive officer. “Strong demand across our network, coupled with low fuel prices, more than compensated for the adverse impacts of the strengthening US dollar, the significant reduction in most fuel surcharges and the high levels of industry capacity growth from North America. Our financial performance for the second half of the year seems set to be a continuation of what we’ve seen so far in 2015. In this environment, the company expects to generate free cash flow, strengthen its balance sheet and improve its profit margins. As ever, the whole team has done a great job of looking after our customers, enhancing our reputation, and burnishing our brand. They have my thanks.”

Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2015 the Company had:

Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $606 million.
Outstanding debt and capital lease obligations of approximately $947 million consisting of the following:

$689 million outstanding under secured loan agreements to finance a portion of the purchase price for 11 Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
$127 million outstanding under secured loan agreements to finance a portion of the purchase price for 15 Boeing 717-200 aircraft.
$100 million in capital lease obligations to finance the acquisition of an Airbus A330-200, two Boeing 717-200 aircraft and aircraft-related equipment.
$27 million outstanding under floating rate notes to finance the acquisition of two Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft.
$4 million of outstanding convertible senior notes.

In the second quarter, the Company repurchased $4 million (principal balance) of its convertible senior notes outstanding. Repurchases to date have totaled $82 million (principal balance) or 95%, of the originally issued principal amount, thereby eliminating the need for the Company to issue 10.4 million shares when the notes may have otherwise converted to common stock.

In addition, during the second quarter the Company repurchased 0.8 million shares of its common stock for approximately $18 million under its previously announced $100 million stock repurchase program.

Second Quarter 2015 Highlights

Operational

Ranked #1 nationally for on-time performance for the months of March, April and May 2015.
Ranked as one of the top domestic airlines by Travel + Leisure for 2015.

Product and loyalty

The comprehensive interior retrofit of the Company’s neighbor island fleet remains on schedule for completion in the fourth quarter of 2015 with 12 of 18 Boeing 717 aircraft completed to date.

Fleet and financing

Added an A330-200 aircraft under lease financing and retired a Boeing 767-300 at the end of its lease.
Updated the fleet plan and entered into a six-year lease agreement for one A330-200 with a delivery date of summer 2016 and accelerated the planned retirement date of certain of its Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
Announced the purchase of three ATR 72 turbo-prop aircraft in an all-cargo configuration for expansion of its cargo service.

Schedule

Los Angeles to Kona, three-times-weekly, and Los Angeles to Lihu’e, four-times-weekly, summer seasonal service reintroduced in May.
Oakland to Kona, three-times-weekly and Oakland to Lihu’e, four-times-weekly, summer seasonal service reintroduced in May.
Los Angeles to Maui second daily seasonal summer service reintroduced in May.
Announced year round service from Los Angeles to Lihu’e, three-times-weekly, beginning in January 2016.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 N396HA (msn 1488) taxies to the runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Icelandair increases the number of weekly flights to Seattle-Tacoma

Icelandair (Keflavik) has announced further expansion from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with 11 weekly flights starting on May 5, 2016, including the city’s only morning flights to Europe.

In response to the growing demand from the Pacific Northwest, Icelandair is adding four weekly flights from Seattle/Tacoma to complement their current daily service, including the only two international morning flights from SeaTac. With departures at 9:15 am on Wednesdays and Saturdays, passengers will now have more options to Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Scandinavia, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki and Gothenburg. These additional flights also give passengers more connections from Anchorage, Billings, Boise, Eugene, Fairbanks, Spokane, Portland, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver on Alaska Airlines, when traveling through their Seattle/Tacoma hub.

Icelandair launched SEA service in 2009.

Icelandair offers service to Iceland from Boston, Chicago (O’Hare), Denver, Edmonton, New York (JFK), Newark, Seattle/Tacoma, Toronto (Pearson), and Washington (Dulles); and seasonal service from Anchorage, Halifax, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orlando, Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Ex-Iberia Boeing 757-256 TF-FIR (msn 26242) prepares to land at Toronto (Pearson).

Icelandair aircraft slide show:

Delta adds another Seattle/Tacoma feeder route, adds two Bahamas routes from Atlanta this winter

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) continues its build-up at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) (SEA) hub with new Delta Connection service. The carrier will add the SEA – Billings, Montana (CRJ700) route on December 19 per Airline Route.

The airline is also adding twice-weekly Delta Connection Bombardier CRJ700 service from the Atlanta hub to both Marsh Harbour and North Eleuthera on December 19.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Formerly operated by Horizon Air at the Seattle hub, now the CRJ700 regional jet is being operated by SkyWest Airlines as a Delta Connection carrier at SEA. Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N603QX (msn 10011) taxies to the runway at SeaTac.

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show:

Delta Connection-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

Delta to add another spoke route to the Seattle/Tacoma hub: Missoula, Montana

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) is planning to add another feeder route to its growing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) hub. The carrier will commence daily Delta Connection service between Missoula, Montana with Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets on December 19 per Airline Route.

In other news, Delta is ending its London (Heathrow) – Newark and London (Heathrow) service on October 5. Virgin Atlantic will restore a second daily Los Angeles service when Delta ends the route.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N631SK (msn 10329) taxies to the runway at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) hub.

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Delta Connection-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

Hainan Airlines to launch three U.S.-China routes this month

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) today launched the first of three new nonstop routes between the U.S. and Mainland China, part of the airline’s large-scale expansion of its service in North America. Hainan is inaugurating service between San Jose, California (Silicon Valley) (SJC) and Beijing on June 15, between Boston’s Logan International Airport and Shanghai (Pudong) on June 20, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Shanghai-Pudong on June 22.

The Silicon Valley and Boston routes will be flown by Boeing 787 Dreamliners, making Hainan the airline with the most nonstop 787 Dreamliner routes between China and North America. Hainan currently offers daily nonstop service between Beijing and Seattle/Tacoma, Boston and Chicago (O’Hare). Hainan first launched U.S. service in 2008 with nonstop flights between Seattle/Tacoma and Beijing.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner B-2728 (msn 34938) departs from Toronto (Pearson).

Hainan Airlines aircraft slide show:

Virgin America’s pilots vote to join ALPA

Virgin America‘s (San Francisco) pilots have voted to join the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).

ALPA issued this statement:

The National Mediation Board (NMB) has announced that the pilots at Virgin America voted overwhelmingly in favor of representation by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).

Of the 95.7 percent of eligible pilots who voted, 75.3 percent voted in favor of joining the world’s largest pilot union, showing their commitment to collective representation.

“ALPA is very pleased to welcome our colleagues at Virgin America,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA president. “Today, our union is stronger. ALPA is poised to ensure that Virgin America pilots will gain a stronger voice for their future and, together, we will continue to advance our profession.”

Photo Above: ALPA.

The focus for Virgin America pilots now shifts to the membership drive and establishing pilot representatives in each base, and starting the work to negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-112 N528VA (msn 3445) taxies to the runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Virgin America aircraft slide show:

Caesars enters into long-term agreements with Sun Country Airlines and ViaAir

Sun Country Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) and Via Airlines (ViaAir) (Orlando) will see an increased amount of flying for Caesars Entertainment Corporation’s Total Rewards Air.

Caesars issued this statement:

Caesars Entertainment Corporation’s Total Rewards Air, the gaming industry’s largest domestic charter service, is enhancing its commercial operation by entering into long-term agreements with Sun Country Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) and Via Airlines (ViaAir) (Orlando).

In addition, new technology by Total Rewards Air will allow for ease of booking flight and hotel packages beyond its traditional passenger base of Total Rewards members. The scheduled charter flights to Atlantic City, Laughlin, Nevada, Tunica and Biloxi, Mississippi, will include both invited members of the company’s award-winning loyalty program as well as retail guests seeking an escape to the leisure destinations.

The expanded service will include more than 1,800 flights annually to the Total Rewards Air primary destination hubs of Atlantic City, Laughlin, Nevada, Tunica and Biloxi, Mississippi. Total Rewards Air flies more than 100,000 passengers per year. Sun Country Airlines and Via Airlines will serve as the main operating partners for Total Rewards Air and will service more than 100 origin cities across the United States including major North American markets such as Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Denver, Edmonton and Toronto, as well as smaller regional markets such as Monterrey, California, Bismarck, North Dakota, Midland, Texas and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Starting this summer, Sun Country Airlines will operate one Boeing 737-700 while Via Airlines will operate five Embraer 145 regional jets on behalf of Total Rewards Air. Via’s regional jets will operate from private aviation terminals (Fixed Based Operators) affording guests the opportunity to experience a true, VIP private jet experience eliminating the long lines and early check-in associated with commercial airline terminals.

“Sun Country is honored to be partnered with an iconic organization like Caesars Entertainment,” said Eric Curry, Sun Country Vice President of Sales and Customer Experience. “We are looking forward to providing Caesars’ guests with the high standard of service that is the hallmark of both of our companies.”

“Via Airlines has been operating flights for Caesars since 1997 and we are honored to continue and expand our relationship with Caesars and Total Rewards Air,” said Mitch Pizik, Via Airlines Executive Vice President of Marketing. “Through our fleet of owned and leased Embraer jets we look forward to expanding our relationship with one of the most recognizable brands in the world that is synonymous with quality and customer service.”

ViaAir LLC is an indirect Air Carrier operating under DOT Regulation 14 CFR 380 together with its subsidiary, Charter Air Transport d.b.a. Via Airlines (Via Airlines), as the Direct Air Carrier on 30 Pax Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Sun Country Airlines will dedicate one Boeing 737-700 for the Caesars contract. Boeing 737-73V N710SY (msn 30241) taxies to the runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Sun Country Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air Canada establishes three financial targets for 2015, will replace 20 Embraer 190s

Air Canada (Montreal) issued this statement:

As part of a comprehensive strategic plan update to the investment community, Air Canada will establish three new financial targets at its 2015 Investor Day to be held today in Toronto from 09:00 to 12:00 EST.

Building on the success of its business plan, from 2015 until 2018, Air Canada is targeting an annual EBITDAR(1) margin (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment, and aircraft rent, as a percentage of operating revenue) of 15 to 18 percent and a year-over-year return on invested capital (ROIC) (1) of 13 to 16 percent during that period and, by 2018, a leverage ratio(1) of 2.2 (measured by adjusted net debt over normalized EBITDAR).

“We have continued to make significant progress in the execution of our business plan since we first provided the investment community with our financial targets in June 2013,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. The implementation of our fleet initiatives, capital programs, liquidity targets and debt levels remain on target and we’re delivering on a permanently lower cost structure while profitably growing our business, especially our international routes.

“With our growth, we have successfully expanded margins, increased adjusted net income and improved our return on invested capital, thereby creating substantial value for shareholders. We’ve strengthened our balance sheet, reduced the cost of debt and most significantly achieved all of our objectives in restructuring our pension plans. Now that our pension plans are healthy and in a surplus position, by opting out of the special Air Canada 2014 pension regulations, we expect to free up approximately $1.1 billion in previously allocated deficit funding contributions over the next six years which may now be redeployed to further improve our competitive position and create incremental value.

“In 2013, we set out to achieve some very specific targets relating to our costs per available seat mile (CASM) and ROIC, amongst others. Building on our successful execution against these targets, we are raising the bar with more ambitious objectives and are confident that our new financial targets will be attained. We will continue our singular focus on the four priorities that have brought us this far – namely, reducing costs and enhancing revenues, profitably growing by leveraging our international network and partnerships, engaging our customers and culture change. Our new targets are significantly higher than those we set out in 2013 and reflect our confidence that we are pursuing the right strategic plan to deliver sustained profitability and value for our shareholders over the long term and that we are executing on it successfully,” said Mr. Rovinescu.

At its June 2013 Investor Day, Air Canada had projected that a number of key initiatives, including the roll-out of Air Canada rouge® and the introduction of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, taken together, would drive an estimated 15 percent reduction in CASM by 2018 when compared to 2012.

Since its June 2013 Investor Day, the airline added and announced a number of new cost reduction initiatives, including:

the reconfiguration of Boeing 777 aircraft;

the replacement of 20 Embraer 190 aircraft with five larger Airbus narrow-body and five Boeing 767 aircraft;

an amended and extended capacity purchase agreement with Jazz;

the introduction of an additional two high-density Boeing 777 aircraft; and

the selection of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (below) to replace the Airbus narrow-body aircraft in its fleet.

Air Canada 737-8 and 737-9 MAX

Air Canada is on track to exceed the 2013 Investor Day Targets and, taking the added initiatives into account, now estimates that it should realize CASM savings (excluding the impact of foreign exchange and fuel prices) of 21 percent by the end of 2018 when compared to 2012.

In addition, at the end of the first quarter of 2015, unrestricted liquidity was at $3.123 billion (compared to a minimum target of $1.7 billion), ROIC was at 15.2 percent (compared to a target of 10-13 percent) and the airline’s leverage ratio, as measured by adjusted net debt over normalized EBITDAR, was at 2.6 (compared to a target ceiling of 3.5).

The outlook provided in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Please see section below entitled “Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information”.

Attendance at Air Canada’s 2015 Investor Day is by invitation only. A live, listen-only audio webcast of the event along with accompanying presentation slides will be available through a link on Air Canada’s website at http://www.aircanada.com (Investors section).

Major Assumptions

Assumptions were made by Air Canada in preparing and making forward-looking statements. As part of its assumptions, during the 2015 to 2018 period, Air Canada assumes annual Canadian GDP growth of 2.0 to 2.4 percent, annual Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth of 2.1 percent, and an average annual wage rate increase of 2.0 percent. Air Canada also assumes that the Canadian dollar will trade, on average, at C$1.22 to C$1.23 per U.S. dollar and that the price of jet fuel will average 70 cents to 81.5 cents, as set out in the table below for each year during the 2015 to 2018 period.

Top Copyright photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. 20 Embraer 190 aircraft will replaced according to the plan. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW C-FMZW (msn 19000124) taxies away from the gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Air Canada aircraft slide show:

Delta confirms its four new destinations and expansion plans for Seattle/Tacoma

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has confirmed it is adding service from its hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Boston; Orlando; Pasco, Washington; and Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria is a new destination in Delta’s network and is subject to foreign government approval. Delta will also expand its existing Bozeman, Montana, service from Seattle/Tacoma.

The new service includes:

One daily year-round flight to Boston’s Logan International Airport beginning April 4, 2016.
One daily year-round flight to Orlando International Airport beginning December 19, 2015.
Three daily year-round flights to Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco beginning November 1, 2015.
Three daily year-round flights to Victoria International Airport beginning April 4, 2016.
One daily year-round flight to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport beginning August 1, 2015, expanded from Saturday-only seasonal service.
Flights to Boston and Orlando will operate using Boeing 737-800 and 757-200 aircraft, respectively. Bozeman, Pasco and Victoria service will be operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines using two-class, 65-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.

The new service is part of Delta’s previously announced plans for 2 percent system capacity growth for 2015.

Boston and Orlando service will connect Seattle/Tacoma with the third and fifth largest markets on the East Coast. Boston service will also provide customers one-stop access through Seattle/Tacoma to the top five destinations in Asia.

By August, the airline will operate 128 flights to 36 destinations from its West Coast hub.

Earlier this month, Delta celebrated the start of service from Seattle/Tacoma to Boise; Sacramento; Sitka, Alaska; and Ketchikan, Alaska along with the expansion of service to Fairbanks and Juneau, Alaska. Service to Denver begins on June 4, and service to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii begins in December. Delta will also expand service to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in October along with Palm Springs, Calif.; and Tucson, Ariz., in December.

During the summer, Delta offers 10 long-haul international flights from Seattle/Tacoma, providing as much long-haul international service from Seattle/Tacoma as all other airlines combined. This includes the top five destinations in Asia and three of the top four destinations in Europe. Delta is the only carrier to offer nonstop service from Seattle/Tacoma to Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo-Haneda.

Locally, Delta recently opened a 7,000-square-foot corporate office just outside Seattle in downtown Bellevue. The airline has also invested $15 million in its facilities at Sea-Tac, including its Delta Sky Club and lobby renovations, Sky Priority services, new gate area power recharging stations, expanded ticket counters and enhancements to the international arrivals area. Delta people are active members of the Seattle community, working to serve their neighbors both in and out of the airport.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-232 N6713Y (msn 30777) arrives at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show: