Delta Airlines returns to Tokyo Narita after 7-year absence

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Seven years later, Delta Air Lines is returning to Narita.

Next spring, Delta will bring back nonstop service to the Tokyo airport from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

It'll give the carrier two nonstop Tokyo routes from SeaTac when the daily flights begin on March 27, 2027.

But the route will have bigger symbolic meaning for the Atlanta-based carrier.

The flight will mark Delta's return to Narita Airport (NRT) for the first time since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Returning to Narita

Rewind to the early 2010s and Narita was a linchpin in Delta's Pacific network . And its place in the company's heritage stretches back even further, thanks to the robust network previously operated there by Northwest Airlines — which Delta acquired in 2008.

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 at Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT) in 2017. LIGHTROCKET VIA GETTY IMAGES Delta had nonstop Narita service from the U.S. as well as a host of "fifth-freedom" flights from the airport to destinations in Asia and the South Pacific — including places like Manila to Singapore, Guam, Shanghai and Taipei.

But over the course of the 2010s, Delta whittled down its Narita network in favor of Haneda Airport (HND), which is much closer to the city center. And over that same time, Delta also deepened its ties with Korean Air and Seoul's Incheon Airport (ICN)

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Delta's Seattle-Tokyo Narita route

Now, Narita is coming back — and so is a route Delta previously operated from Seattle.

The carrier plans to continue operating SEA-Haneda flights, noting this route will "complement" the service to Narita.

"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," Jeff Arinder, the carrier's vice president of international network planning, said in a statement announcing the news Thursday.

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Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT). LO CHUN KIT/GETTY IMAGES Delta will operate the daily SEA-NRT service with an Airbus A330-900neo, which sports the following seat layout by cabin:

29 Delta One suites

28 Delta Premium Select (premium economy) recliners

56 Delta Comfort (extra legroom) seats

168 economy seats

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY Pacific expansion continues

This is just the latest Pacific route Delta has announced from the West Coast.

Earlier this summer, the airline revealed nonstop Manila service launching in 2027 from its hub at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

In June, it launched Hong Kong flights from LAX.

Specific to Tokyo, here's what Delta's route map will look like come next spring, as shown by Cirium. You can see the existing service to Haneda from Seattle, LAX, Minneapolis, Detroit and Atlanta.

And then, swipe down to see the new (or - "returning," I suppose) Narita route from SEA.

CIRIUM More Tokyo service

That flight won't quell any tension with Delta's top SeaTac competitor, hometown carrier Alaska Airlines.

As part of Alaska's global expansion, the airline now operates nonstop Seattle-Narita service itself with a beautiful new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner obtained via its 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.

SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY Narita Airport is located farther outside the Tokyo city center than Haneda, but has a wide array of international service.

Beyond the proximity, the biggest downside for Delta flyers at NRT? No Sky Club. Haneda is home to Delta's only lounge located outside the U.S.

However, Delta passengers should have no problem using the Korean Air Lounge at NRT that belongs to its SkyTeam alliance partner.

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