The competition in Seattle is heating up with a pair of new European routes just announced by Delta Air Lines.

Delta Adds Two New Europe Flights from Seattle, Targets Alaska Airlines with Rome Route

Delta is launching two new nonstop transatlantic routes from Seattle: Rome (FCO) and Barcelona (BCN). On the surface, it is an exciting expansion for Seattle-based flyers. Beneath the surface, it is also a clear competitive response to Alaska Airlines’ pivot into longhaul flying from its Seattle hub.

Two New Delta Routes from Seattle

Beginning May 2026, Delta will inaugurate:

• Seattle (SEA) to Rome (FCO) starting May 6, 2026
• Seattle (SEA) to Barcelona (BCN) starting May 7, 2026

Both flights will operate daily using Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. These jets feature:

• 29 Delta One Suites with closing doors
• 28 Premium Select seats
• 56 Comfort+ seats
• 168 Main Cabin seats

(I’ve reviewed Delta One on the A330-900neo here)

That is a premium-heavy configuration, underscoring Delta’s intent to cater to business travelers and high-yield leisure traffic. Delta will become the only US carrier offering both Barcelona and Rome service from Seattle.

Delta’s Move Is A Reaction To Alaska Airlines

While Delta is presenting this as part of its broader global vision for Seattle, the timing is hard to ignore. Just last month, Alaska Airlines announced its first-ever route to Europe: daily seasonal service from SEA to Rome, starting in June 2026.

Alaska’s entry into transatlantic service was not unexpected. From the moment its merger with Hawaiian airlines was announced, I speculated that we’d see Alaska eventually operate widebody service to Europe and Asia from Seattle.

Now, Delta’s Rome flight will beat Alaska’s to market by a full month.

Coincidence? Of course not.

Seattle is Alaska’s home turf, and Delta has spent the past decade steadily challenging that dominance, growing SEA into a global gateway. From flying widebodies to Los Angeles and New York, to offering service to Paris, Amsterdam, London, Tokyo, and Seoul, Delta wants to be Seattle’s global airline.

While adding Rome and Barcelona is the next logical move in a long and deliberate strategy, it is doubtlessly a message to Alaska that it will fight aggressively for transatlantic dominance.

CONCLUSION

Delta’s announcement is great news for Seattle flyers. Two new nonstop routes to Europe on modern aircraft with a full range of cabin options offer more choice and comfort. But this is also a classic Delta maneuver: challenge the opposition in competitive markets…it helps to explain why Delta has risen to become one of the world’s most profitable airlines.

Alaska may be expanding across the Atlantic, but Delta’s message is loud and clear. It is already there, and it intends to stay competitive in every sense.

Summer 2026 just became more interesting for travelers flying out of Seattle. I hope both carriers find wild success on the route, though I’d imagine there will be some great bargains for flights to Rome…