Delta Air Lines Returning to Tokyo Narita After 7 Years

Delta Air Lines will restore nonstop service between Seattle and Tokyo Narita in March 2027, ending a seven-year absence from the airport.

The airline previously scaled back its Narita operations in favor of Tokyo Haneda Airport. The new service complements Delta’s existing Seattle–Haneda flights.

Delta Expanding Its Seattle-Tokyo Flights

The new daily service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Narita International Airport will begin on March 27, 2027. According to Cirium Diio, Delta last served Narita in 2020.

Delta will use Airbus A330-900neo aircraft on the new route. The airline will also maintain its existing Seattle–Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) service, giving it two daily flights between Seattle and Tokyo.

According to Delta Vice President of International Network Planning Jeff Arinder, “Japan continues to be one of the most important and beloved destinations in Delta’s global network and adding Seattle-Narita service gives our customers even more choice when planning their travel.” 

He added, “With service to both Haneda and Narita, Delta will offer more capacity and two convenient ways to access Tokyo.”

If existing schedules remain unchanged, Delta’s new route would increase the market to five daily departures. That would include three daily departures to Narita and two to Haneda.

Demand for Tokyo Flights

Analysis of data from Sabre Market Intelligence shows strong demand for flights between Seattle and Japan. Travel demand between Seattle and Japan continued to grow in 2025, reaching approximately 341,300 two-way passengers. The total was up 23.1% from roughly 277,200 the previous year.

Of the roughly 341,300 passengers traveling between Seattle and Japan, about 243,100 flew to or from Tokyo. Tokyo accounted for 71.2% of the market, with traffic increasing 8.8% year over year.

Intensifying Competition with Alaska Airlines

Delta’s return to Narita also sets up direct competition with Alaska Airlines, which has been rapidly expanding Seattle as its international gateway following its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska launched Seattle–Narita in May 2025 as the first international route under its hub expansion strategy, initially operating the Airbus A330-200 before upgrading the service to the Boeing 787-9 in January 2026.

The Narita announcement is part of Delta’s broader Pacific expansion, which also includes new routes from Los Angeles to Manila and Hong Kong.