Alaska's home turf vs. Delta's hub — Seattle fares stay sharp year-round
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) is unusual: it's both Alaska Airlines' home base and a major Delta hub, and the two carriers compete head-to-head on nearly every route. That rivalry drives down fares across the West Coast and on transcon flights, while Southwest and Alaska keep intra-West prices low. For travelers heading to the Pacific Northwest, the Alaska-Delta battle is a reliable source of deals.
October through March (the rainy off-season) offers the cheapest fares. Avoid the gorgeous but pricey summer months of June through August.
Real deals from this week - subscribers get these and more, every Friday.
Direct flights to the US West Coast from under £600 return, plus Business Class deals to New York and LA - and 22 premium cabin deals unlocked for subscribers.
That BOS-TLV fare is 58% below its typical median price - plus direct flights to Rome from $665 and Nassau from $371 are turning heads this week.
Manchester to Budapest is 74% below typical right now at just £97 return - plus direct flights to Berlin for £50 and Copenhagen for £40 from MAN.
This week: direct flights to LA from £572, New York from £623, San Francisco from £588 - plus premium cabin deals for subscribers. Save up to 25% vs typical prices.
JFK to Tel Aviv is 37% below its typical price this week - plus direct flights to Cancun from Newark under $400 and a Dubai deal flying Emirates nonstop.
Paris for $1048 round-trip from Dulles - 57% below the typical median price - plus direct flights to London from $880 and Frankfurt from $1234. Summer Europe deals are here.
Want more deals like these?
When is the cheapest time to fly to Seattle?
October through March is the cheapest window, when Pacific Northwest rain suppresses tourism and roundtrip fares from California drop to $90-140. Summer (June-August) is the most beautiful season to visit but also the most expensive, with fares often doubling.
Which airlines have the cheapest Seattle flights?
Alaska Airlines, with its hub at SEA, runs frequent sales and competitive fares, while Delta's competing hub keeps prices honest on overlapping routes. Southwest is strong on West Coast hops. The Alaska-Delta rivalry makes Seattle one of the better-value PNW destinations.
How far ahead should I book Seattle flights?
For off-season travel, booking 1-2 months ahead is usually enough thanks to steady competition. Summer trips should be booked 2-4 months out, since peak demand from June through August pushes fares up quickly once cheap inventory sells through.
Subscribe to receive cheap flights to Seattle and other destinations every Friday.