Delta Launching Seattle To Tampa Flights

They did it just for you Lucky! Because you've been praising them so much 😀

I didn't read the post, but this seems like a pretty boring route. Can someone explain to me why this is interesting?

@ Mitch Cumstein -- So you *didn't read the post*, but you want someone to explain to you why the route is interesting? Even though the post has a whole section with the title "Why Do I Find This Route Interesting?"

Interestingly Delta used to operate 1x flights once or twice weekly between FLL-SEA and MIA-LAX. They have not been able to sustain these routes for whatever reason. Delta has been in south Florida before Jetblue, Spirit, and Southwest. Yet all those airlines took over the lion share of international and domestic transcon away from Delta. Their strategy for Florida has been confusing to say the least.

I also thought it was just for you, Lucky

@Lucky small typo (sorry to be that guy 😉 “seasonally there’s a second flight (also on Tampa).“ I think you mean also on *Delta*

Since you might actually see my comment, just wanna say i’ve been reading OMAAT for years and i really appreciate what’s you’re doing! Thanks

This schedules matches up perfectly with flights connecting to/from ANC... often our connections are brutally long in SEA

I wonder how much padding is in this schedule, since they only give 45 minutes to turn around the plane. Delta usually puts the boarding time at 40 minutes before departure, which will be impossible unless the flight arrives very early.

seems a pretty tired old plane for 6 hours of (dis)comfort. wouldnt mind seeing a modern, more efficient jet for the haul.

@Sam - pretty sure with that schedule, Delta will use a separate 737 on the way back to Seattle.

All the people saying this route isn’t interesting clearly took the time to click the post and comment.

Besides this is Lucky’s blog after all and it’s of interest to him.

People taking cruises from Seattle will use it. That flight is so long, just thinking about it makes my hair hurt...

@jez: 45 minutes is generous time for a 737 turnaround. I believe Southwest has just 15 scheduled minutes and Ryanair just 25. Most other airlines in Europe are at 30 or so minutes. And all of them also make long(er) flights with their 737s.

Wish Delta would fly Seattle to Raleigh. Not so happy that Alaska has a monopoly on this (nonstop).

Apologies for the unrelated question, but any idea what Delta is up to with its Vegas flights? I looked at their online route map, and they are now offering more flights - with their partners - to/from Vegas than in Cincinnati. And Google Flights now offers me intra-West Coast connections in Vegas, even though Delta does not sell these flights on its website.

Well, anyone who has friends, family, or work that has them flying this route once or twice a year will find it interesting. And @CAROLYNNE LOREK my hair doesn't hurt for long when I'm on the beach with my sis and a margarita. 🙂

"737 turnaround. I believe Southwest has just 15 scheduled minutes " - Do those really still happen? 😉

AS currently schedules the current 770/523 TPA turn at 65 minutes - that being said, I doubt DL would do a 45 min same plane turn on these flights, especially considering the fact weather often varies the inbound arrival time from SEA by 15-30mins.

Nice to see the added flight, but that afternoon return to Seattle is brutal even in F - just a super long day.

Growing up in Tampa and living in Seattle, there's probably one significant reason why this route is essential, which is to appease their corporate customers. You can thank Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing for expanding their offices into Tampa and making a push to make this route a reality. Also, there is a lot of military personnel that travel between Seattle and Tampa.