Four airlines to offer direct flights from Taiwan to Seattle

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As summer approaches, travelers from Taiwan to Seattle can look forward to more competitive prices and additional flight options. Four major airlines—Starlux Airlines, Delta Air Lines, China Airlines, and EVA Air—are set to introduce direct flights, sparking a potential price war due to increased market competition.

Market Dynamics and Strategic Airport Utilization

Travel experts predict that heightened airline competition could lead to significantly lower airfares. Last year, EVA Air’s average ticket prices for the summer season ranged from NT$63,000 to NT$65,000. 

This year, prices are expected to decrease by 5 to 8%, according to data from ezTravel. This drop is attributed to the new flight services and the airlines' strategic adjustments to attract more passengers amid growing travel demand.

Additionally, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), known for its pivotal role as a transfer hub, continues to rank 8th among U.S. airports regarding passenger activity. In 2023, it handled over 50 million passengers, underscoring its importance in the North American aviation market. As these routes develop, experts suggest that airlines will likely negotiate more direct flights to various U.S. destinations.

In an interview, a travel writer known as 943 noted, "With competition from multiple airlines, the route from Taiwan to Canada, for example, has seen round-trip fares, including taxes, as low as NT$20,000 to NT$30,000. If routes continue to recover and price competition intensifies, such low prices are possible."

Growing Interest in North American Travel
A travel blogger nicknamed Jet also highlighted the broader implications for tourism and transit. "Since there are many choices for North American routes and many major cities in the States, it may attract backpackers and future transit passengers," he said.

"Also, Taiwan successfully attracts a handful of Southeast Asian tourists who transit through Taiwan to the U.S., so North American routes may become popular and highly sought after in the future."

As the market adapts and expands, the new flights from Taiwan to Seattle are expected not only to cater to the demand for travel but also to enhance Taiwan's role as a key transit point in Asia-Pacific travel logistics.