NorthwestOctober 10, 2023

Delta flights between Lewiston and Seattle make their debut Monday, ending a five-year drought without that service

August Frank, of the Tribune
A man waves his hand in the air looking back towards the terminal as he boards the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.
A man waves his hand in the air looking back towards the terminal as he boards the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.August Frank/Tribune
Lois Alm kisses Ron Alm as he drops her off for her flight on the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.
Lois Alm kisses Ron Alm as he drops her off for her flight on the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.August Frank/Tribune
People board the inaugural Delta flight to Seattle in Lewiston.
People board the inaugural Delta flight to Seattle in Lewiston.August Frank/Tribune
The inaugural Delta flight to Seattle takes off early Monday morning in Lewiston.
The inaugural Delta flight to Seattle takes off early Monday morning in Lewiston.August Frank/Tribune
The flight crew of Craig Greenberg, from left, Lynn Jenkins, Christi Everidge, and Dylan Todd receive gift bags before the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.
The flight crew of Craig Greenberg, from left, Lynn Jenkins, Christi Everidge, and Dylan Todd receive gift bags before the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.August Frank/Tribune
One of the pilots steps out of the plane before the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.
One of the pilots steps out of the plane before the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.August Frank/Tribune
Coffee and various refreshments are put out in celebration for the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.
Coffee and various refreshments are put out in celebration for the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.August Frank/Tribune
The 76-seat jet sits on the runway before takeoff for the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.
The 76-seat jet sits on the runway before takeoff for the inaugural Delta flight from Lewiston to Seattle Monday morning at the Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport.August Frank/Tribune

About 30 people boarded the 7 a.m. inaugural Delta departure to Seattle on Monday morning at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport as daily Seattle flights returned to Lewiston.

The daily Seattle flights will be on board a 76-seat jet that offers business, comfort plus and coach seating. Flights depart Lewiston at 7 a.m. every day with returning flights arriving at Lewiston at 9 p.m.

“It’s been a long time in the making,” Airport Director Mike Isaacs said. “This was always our highest priority.”

“I am so grateful it’s back,” passenger Scott Dolezal, of Clarkston, said.

Dolezal, who flies frequently for business, has been driving to Spokane and getting a hotel room to catch a 7 a.m. flight the next day.

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Round trips for the Delta Seattle flight cost $169 at the moment.

Delta also offers daily flights between Lewiston and Salt Lake City, and United Airlines provides service between Lewiston and Denver.

The return of flights to Seattle was announced by the airport’s authority board on Aug. 11. No federal, state or local government money is being used to subsidize the flights, Airport Board Chairman Gary Peters said in August.

Lewiston had been without Seattle flights since August 2018, when Horizon Air pulled its service to Seattle and Boise.

Frank may be contacted at afrank@lmtribune.com.

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