Bellingham, Washington: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Bellingham, Washington, is served by Bellingham International Airport (BLI), a full-service commercial airport located in Whatcom County, approximately 3 miles (5 km) northwest of the city. The airport is a low-fare alternative to Vancouver International Airport, and an estimated 65% of its customers come from Canada. It is served by airlines including Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Southwest Airlines, and accommodates more than 800,000 travellers each year.

Bellingham International Airport's location and contact details

Bellingham International Airport (IATA: BLI, ICAO: KBLI, FAA LID: BLI) is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It is approximately three miles (or five kilometres) northwest of the city of Bellingham. The airport is 90 miles north of Seattle and 20 miles south of the US/Canada Peace Arch Border crossing in Blaine, Washington. The airport's address is 4255 Mitchell Way, Bellingham, WA 98226.

Bellingham International Airport can be contacted by phone at (+1) 360-671-5674 or 360-676-2500, ext. 321 (after hours emergency). The airport administration office is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. The airport's website is http://www.portofbellingham.com/index.aspx?nid=82.

The airport covers 2,190 acres (886 hectares) of land and is the third-largest commercial airport in Washington. It is a full-service commercial airport that accommodates more than 800,000 travellers each year, serving the commercial, general aviation, and corporate air transportation needs of the region. Bellingham International Airport is also a busy general aviation facility, with many flights for sightseeing in the San Juan Islands, Victoria in British Columbia, or the Canadian Gulf Islands.

Airlines that fly from Bellingham International Airport

Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is located 3 miles northwest of Bellingham, Washington. It is the third-largest commercial airport in Washington and a low-fare alternative to Vancouver International Airport. The airport accommodates over 800,000 travellers each year and offers amenities such as a coffee shop/restaurant and bar, air taxi and charter services, aircraft fuelling, aircraft maintenance, and on-site parking.

Several airlines operate from Bellingham International Airport, including:

• Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines offers nonstop jet service to Seattle/Tacoma and direct one-stop service to other destinations. They also provide itineraries with the fewest connections for domestic flights to Bellingham.
• Allegiant Air: Allegiant Air is one of the major airlines serving Bellingham International Airport, offering nonstop flights to several destinations on the West Coast. They are known for their high-value, low-cost travel options.
• San Juan Airlines: San Juan Airlines is a commuter air carrier based in Bellingham. They offer scheduled and charter flights to the San Juan Islands, Seattle, Tacoma, and British Columbia.
• Horizon Air: Horizon Air is a regional airline and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Alaska Air Group. They fly nonstop turboprop service to Seattle/Tacoma.
• Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines began serving Bellingham International Airport in November 2021, offering daily flights to Oakland and Las Vegas. However, they have announced plans to halt operations at the airport after August 4, 2024.
• Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA): PSA initiated Bellingham's first passenger jet service in 1985 and was later acquired by US Air.
• Delta Air Lines: Delta served Bellingham from 2006 to 2008, providing flights to Salt Lake City.
• Frontier Airlines: Frontier Airlines offered seasonal summer service from Bellingham to its main hub in Denver starting in 2012 but has since ceased serving the airport.
• United Express: United Express previously served Bellingham with nonstop flights to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport through code-sharing agreements with various airlines.

In addition to these airlines, Bellingham International Airport has also been served by other carriers in the past, including Western Airlines, Skybus Airlines, and Harbour Airlines.

History of Bellingham International Airport

Bellingham International Airport (IATA: BLI, ICAO: KBLI, FAA LID: BLI) is located about three miles northwest of Bellingham, in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Covering 2,190 acres of land, it is the third-largest commercial airport in Washington.

The history of Bellingham International Airport dates back to the 1920s when a grassy landing strip operated in Whatcom County, near the intersections of Smith Road and Pacific Highway 99. The exact origins of the airport are debated, but the development of the airport as we know it today began in the late 1930s.

In 1935, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) began studying the potential for an airport in Whatcom County as part of a program to build airports in large Washington cities. In October 1936, Whatcom County purchased 200 acres of land from Charles F. Larrabee to build an airport using WPA funds. Construction of the airport commenced on October 22, 1936, under the supervision of the WPA. The initial plan included three runways, but only one was built at the beginning. This first runway was completed and dedicated on June 1, 1940.

In 1940, the United States Army Corps of Engineers took over the project, expanding it to include three full runways, revetments for parking aircraft, and personnel quarters on 350 acres. The airport opened to the public on December 7, 1941, and on the same day, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, it was offered to the U.S. military, who seized it on December 10. During World War II, the airport played a role in the defence of the Pacific Coast and was used by the Fourth Air Force, Air Transport Command, and Air Technical Service Command.

After the war, in September 1946, the United States Army Air Forces closed the facility, and it was turned over to the War Assets Administration. The airport was then slowly returned to Whatcom County and redeveloped as a civil airport in the late 1940s. Financial challenges led to the sale of the airport to the Port of Bellingham for one dollar in 1957. Over the years, various upgrades and expansions have been made to the airport, including terminal expansions in the 1980s and early 2010s to accommodate increasing passenger volumes. The airport has also seen the addition of new airlines and destinations, with Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines being notable carriers serving Bellingham International Airport in recent years.

Facilities and amenities at Bellingham International Airport

Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is located in Whatcom County, Washington, approximately three miles northwest of Bellingham, WA. It is the third-largest commercial airport in Washington, covering 2,190 acres of land. Bellingham International Airport accommodates over 800,000 travellers each year, serving the commercial, general aviation, and corporate air transportation needs of the region. The airport offers various facilities and amenities to ensure a comfortable and convenient experience for its passengers.

• A coffee shop, restaurant, and bar. Halibut Henry's offers coffee and takeaway food, while Scotty Brown's provides full-service dining with a bar/lounge.
• Air taxi and charter services.
• Aircraft fuelling services.
• Aircraft hangars and tie-downs.
• Aircraft maintenance services.
• Meeting rooms available for rent.
• Commercial air transportation.
• Mamava Lactation Suites.
• On-site airport parking.
• U.S. Customs International Arrivals Terminal.
• Free Wi-Fi is available. Connect to the "PogoZone-Free-HighSpeed" network.
• Shopping: There are souvenir shops located both landside and airside.
• Car rental agencies: Avis, Enterprise/Alamo, and Hertz offer onsite services.
• Shuttle services: A shuttle is available between Bellingham Airport and Vancouver International Airport and Sea-Tac Airport.
• Ground transportation: Metered taxis are available in the ground transportation area.

The airport administration office is committed to maintaining and developing the airport facilities to meet the transportation needs of the community and region, providing a high standard of customer service, safety, and convenience.

Parking at Bellingham International Airport

Bellingham International Airport (IATA: BLI, ICAO: KBLI, FAA LID: BLI) is located in Whatcom County, Washington, about 3 miles northwest of Bellingham. It is the third-largest commercial airport in Washington and serves as a low-fare alternative to Vancouver International Airport in Canada.

When it comes to parking at Bellingham International Airport, there are a few options to choose from. The airport itself offers on-site parking, with half of the available parking spaces located directly in front of the terminal building. The daily cost of parking will depend on the total number of spaces used. The Main Terminal Parking Lot is the closest to the terminal and is open 24/7. It costs $1 for the first 30 to 60 minutes and $12 for a 24-hour period. The Economy A Parking Lot is a little further away, but it offers a free 24/7 shuttle service to and from the airport. Parking in the Economy Lot costs $1 for the first 30 to 60 minutes and $9 for a 24-hour period.

If you're looking for long-term parking at Bellingham Airport, you will need to notify the airport authorities beforehand, especially if you plan to leave your vehicle for longer than 90 days. There are also off-site parking options available, with prices starting at a discounted rate of $2 per day. These off-site car parks provide a courtesy shuttle to and from the airport, making it a convenient and economical choice.

For those looking for the most convenient and reliable option, on-site parking at the airport is a great choice. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option, off-site parking with a shuttle service is also available.

Frequently asked questions