Delta to commence Incheon-Manila flights by January 2021

Aviation Updates Philippines – US-based air carrier Delta Airlines plans to commence flights between Manila and Seoul-Incheon beginning January 2, 2021.

The new flights between the two cities will be on-board Delta's brand-new, state-of-the-art Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, capable of seating 281 passengers all-in-all. The new aircraft boasts premium services and products, including Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin.

From Manila, Delta passengers may connect seamlessly through the airline's direct flights from Seoul-Incheon to Seattle and Atlanta.

Flight DL-291 departs from Seoul-Incheon at 6:25pm local time and arrives in Manila at 9:35pm local time. The return flight, DL-290 departs back to South Korea at 9:55am local time and arrives at 3:05pm local time.

Manila-Seoul-Manila flights operate four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

"Since COVID-19 began, Delta has focused on offering customers the safest and cleanest experience possible. We are confident to welcome and serve our customers again via our industry-leading trans-Pacific hub in Seoul with our joint venture partner Korean Air," says Patricia Celis, Delta Country Manager for the Philippines.

Delta previously operated flights to Manila from Tokyo-Narita. However, this routing has been axed after the American air carrier expanded its partnership with Korean Air. The new partnership prompted Delta to gradually move most of its flight operations to Seoul-Incheon.

Last year, the airline announced the introduction of Seoul-Manila flights supposedly by April 2020. Due to COVID-19 travel and flight restrictions, this has been delayed until October 27 and yet again until January of 2021.

READ: Delta plans to launch Seoul-Manila in winter, restore more trans-Pacific routes by next summer

The launch of Delta's flights to Manila will be a historic milestone in the aviation industry since it would become the first Airbus A330-900neo regular commercial service to the Philippines.

Photo from William Derrickson, AirlineGeeks