Delta, Korean Air expand JV codeshares, add new transpacific routes

Delta expanded its transpacific partnership with Korean Air June 14 as the Atlanta-based carrier announced a new nonstop route between Seattle-Tacoma International and Osaka, Japan’s Kansai International starting in 2019. Specific schedule details were not released. Delta will codeshare the flight with Korean Air, as part of the joint venture partnership launched between the airlines in May. Delta plans to fly the route with a Boeing 767-300ER equipped with 25 lie-flat seats in Delta One, 29 “comfort plus” seats and 171 main cabin seats. Concurrent with the Osaka route announcement, Delta said it had “made the difficult business decision” to end its nonstop Seattle-Hong Kong flights, with the last flight out of Hong Kong set for Oct. 4. Delta service between the two cities will continue, but will be offered via Seoul-Incheon on Korean Air.<br/>