Delta will launch new, nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on March 9, 2025, following approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
This new route marks a significant milestone, as it offers customers a more competitive and convenient option for nonstop service between Seattle and Washington’s close-in airport.
Delta’s SEA-DCA route was one of five new beyond-perimeter flights selected by DOT, routes made possible due to Delta’s advocacy in conjunction with the recently passed FAA reauthorization bill in the U.S. House and Senate, signed by President Biden in May. With this much-anticipated final order, Delta will offer a nonstop flight to all three of its western hubs from the nation’s capital.
Beyond-perimeter flights are nonstop flights from DCA to cities more than 1,250 miles away. The perimeter rule limits nonstop flights from DCA to 1,250 miles unless the flight is granted a “beyond-perimeter” exemption.
“Seattle is a key market for our customers, a crucial hub for Delta, and a premier West Coast gateway,” said Glen Hauenstein, president of Delta Air Lines in a media statement. “Delta commends the Department of Transportation for recognizing that additional service from DCA to Seattle will give consumers the much-needed competition and choice they deserve. We look forward to launching new, premium DCA service in March.”
The route will operate on Delta’s state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering a premium customer experience while supporting a more sustainable future of flying through operational efficiency and lower fuel usage. Delta continues to invest in a fuel-efficient fleet and recently received recognition from the Port of Seattle as having the highest percentage of fuel-efficient aircraft in use at SEA in 2023.
Return of 7 U.S. and Caribbean Routes
This summer is shaping up to be a busy travel season, and Delta is boosting its summer 2025 schedule with the return of seven routes in the U.S. and Caribbean, connecting key hubs in Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to popular summer destinations like Bangor, Punta Cana, Bozeman and more.
From Atlanta, domestic service will get a boost with nonstop Saturday service to Bangor, Maine (BGR) and Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP). Detroit will lead the group with new Saturday flights to four popular summer destinations: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ); Bozeman, Montana (BZN); and Pensacola (PNS) and Destin (VPS), Florida. Rounding things out is Minneapolis-St. Paul with a Saturday flight to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC).
Added Summer 2025 Routes
|
Hub |
Market |
Dates |
Aircraft |
|
ATL +2 |
Bangor (BGR) |
08Jun-07Sep25 |
Boeing 737-800 |
|
|
Rapid City (RAP) |
08Jun-07Sep25 |
Boeing 737-800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DTW +4 |
Punta Cana (PUJ) |
10May-2Aug25 |
Boeing 737-900 |
|
|
Bozeman (BZN) |
08Jun-07Sep25 |
Airbus A319 |
|
|
Pensacola (PNS) |
08Jun-07Sep25 |
Boeing 717 |
|
|
Destin-Fort Walton (VPS) |
08Jun-07Sep25 |
Boeing 717 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
MSP +1 |
Jackson Hole (JAC) |
08Jun-07Sep25 |
Airbus A319 |
|
|
|
|
|
