Delta to Launch First-Ever Nonstop Flight From Salt Lake City to Seoul

Delta Air Lines is set to make history next summer with the launch of its first-ever nonstop flight from its hub in Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea.

Beginning June 12, 2025, the new service will be the only direct route linking Salt Lake City to Asia, marking a major milestone for the airline and the region.

Photo: Seoul, South Korea. Courtesy of JEONGUK / Unsplash

According to Delta, this highly anticipated route will offer passengers seamless access to destinations across Asia, thanks to the Atlanta-based carrier’s partnership with South Korea’s flag carrier, Korean Air.

Connecting Salt Lake City to Asia

The new daily flight from Salt Lake City to Seoul will become the longest route operated out of SLC and the first direct flight to Asia from the airport since 2011. It’s an important step in connecting the nation’s Mountain West and Southwest regions to key Asian cities.

As expected, Delta will operate the route using its newest flagship, the Airbus A350-900.

Photo: Delta, Airbus A350-900. Courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

“The launch of Salt Lake City to Seoul service offers customers convenient access to Delta’s growing global network and ensures that virtually all U.S. demand is connected to Seoul via nonstop or one-stop service,” said Delta’s Senior Vice President of Network Planning, Joe Esposito.

Esposito added that Delta’s strong joint venture with Korean Air plays a crucial role in offering unmatched connectivity between the U.S. and Asia: “As Salt Lake City continues to grow as a vital Delta hub, our partnership with Korean Air ensures that customers, including those in the interior U.S., have access not just to Seoul but to key destinations across Asia.”

Delta’s Expanding Global Reach

With the addition of the SLC-ICN route, Salt Lake City will become Delta’s fifth U.S. city with direct service to Seoul, joining Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Seattle.

Together with Korean Air, Delta will offer access to Seoul from 14 U.S. gateways, making it the most extensive trans-Pacific joint venture.

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Air

“I’m confident that Incheon Airport will continue to grow as a global hub through our partnership with Delta Air Lines,” said Lee Hag-jae, President of Incheon International Airport Corporation. “Together, we aim to set the standard for airline partnerships, sharing a vision of leading the global aviation market as a top-tier airport and airline.”

Strengthening Delta’s Presence in SLC

Delta’s dominance at Salt Lake City International is hard to overstate. The airline operates more flights out of SLC than all other carriers combined, with nearly 250 peak-day departures to over 90 destinations worldwide. In addition to this new connection to Seoul, Delta offers nonstop flights to international cities such as Amsterdam, London, Paris, and Mexico City.

Photo: Courtesy of Salt Lake City International Airport / HOK Architects

“Utah is the best state in the nation, and Delta plays a significant role in that distinction,” said J. Stuart Adams, President of the Utah Senate. “The new nonstop flight from Salt Lake City to Seoul reinforces our status as not just the crossroads of the West, but of the world. This route enhances travel convenience and further establishes Utah as a key hub for international business and tourism.”

Salt Lake City’s infrastructure has also seen major improvements. In 2020, Delta opened Concourse A, a 900,000-square-foot terminal featuring 50 gates and a range of dining and shopping options.

By 2027, even more gates will be added, securing SLC’s position as a premier gateway for international travel.

What to Expect Onboard Delta’s A350?

Passengers flying from Salt Lake City to Seoul will enjoy the latest in premium travel on Delta’s Airbus A350-900. The aircraft features four cabin options: Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin.

Photo: Airbus A350-900, Delta One. Courtesy of Delta

Delta One customers can look forward to lie-flat seating, premium bedding, and a seasonal four-course meal from top chefs. In a partnership with Italian fashion house Missoni, Delta One passengers will also receive luxury amenity kits that elevate the in-flight experience.

Delta Premium Select passengers will enjoy wider seats and deeper recline, offering a more spacious and relaxing journey. Across all cabins, passengers can access over 1,000 hours of entertainment through Delta Studio. And with the airline’s recent updates on its Delta Sync suite, passengers can enjoy an immense array of entertainment options, including BBC News to its live TV lineup.

Photo: Courtesy of Delta

Through Delta Sync, passengers can access real-time flight information through the “My Flight” portal, including gate changes, connecting flights, a 3D route map, and even airport wayfinding. This one-stop shop for travel information helps passengers stay on top of their journey without the need for additional devices.

A New Era for Utah and South Korea

The new Salt Lake City to Seoul route promises to strengthen business ties and cultural connections between Utah and South Korea. With more than 35,000 Korean Americans calling Utah home, Delta says the new flight will foster greater collaboration and exchange between the two regions.

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox celebrated the new gateway to Asia: “As we open this new gateway to Asia, I am excited to expand Utah’s global reach and foster new cultural and business partnerships. Delta’s commitment to our state underscores Utah’s growing role on the world stage.”

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall added, “Strong partnerships can often have the biggest impacts on visitors and our residents. The Incheon route will connect our capital city with 80-plus destinations in Asia, expanding our community’s global reach.”

The new route from Salt Lake City to South Korea is part of Delta’s extensive route network expansion. Additionally, Delta will be launching flights to Catania, Sicily, Italy, next summer as part of a major network boost. This expansion will include over 700 weekly flights to 33 European destinations and beyond.

Delta is extending its reach to cities such as Barcelona and Dublin through new routes, making next year promising for Delta and its frequent flyers. Exciting new destinations in Asia and Europe are on the horizon.