Southwest Airlines: Paine Airport's Newest Service Provider?

Paine Field Airport, located in Everett, Washington, has a rich history dating back to 1936 when it was built by the Works Progress Administration. After initially serving commercial flights, it underwent several conversions before resuming commercial service in 2019. The airport has been recognised for its convenience and design, offering a range of amenities and efficient transportation options. Paine Field Airport has also contributed significantly to the region's economy, with a reported annual impact of over $60 billion. In terms of airlines, it initially hosted Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, with the latter intending to operate five daily flights. However, in November 2018, Southwest Airlines transferred its slots to Alaska Airlines, intensifying competition and resulting in fare reductions.

Southwest Airlines serviced Paine Field Airport in 2018

Paine Field Airport, located near Seattle, was built in 1936 and began commercial service in 1939. The airport was named for Topliff Olin Paine in 1941 and was briefly used for civilian aviation from 1946 to 1950. However, it was converted into an air force base during the Korean War. In the following decades, Paine Field became a hub for light aviation and manufacturing, but commercial service was halted due to opposition from neighbouring cities.

In May 2017, Alaska Airlines announced its intention to operate from Paine Field, planning nine daily flights. In January 2018, they increased this number to 13 daily flights, and in November 2018, they further raised the daily departures to 18. United Airlines also entered the scene in August 2017, announcing six daily flights to their hubs in Denver and San Francisco.

Among this buzz of activity, Southwest Airlines made its move. On January 25, 2018, they announced their plans to serve Paine Field Airport with five daily flights—three to Oakland and two to Las Vegas. This decision positioned them as the third airline to fly out of Paine Field, and their choice of using 737s, the only plane in their fleet at the time, was notable. Southwest's CEO, Gary Kelly, expressed their motivation to expand in the Seattle market, and Paine Field offered an attractive alternative to the constrained Sea-Tac airport.

However, this plan did not come to full fruition. On November 15, 2018, Southwest reversed its decision and transferred its slots to Alaska Airlines. This change brought the initial commercial flight schedule for the airport to 24 daily departures, exceeding airport managers' initial plans. The start of commercial service was further delayed due to an additional environmental impact review announced by the FAA in June 2018.

The environmental review was completed in September 2018, and commercial service was eventually cleared to begin in early 2019. Alaska Airlines inaugurated its service on March 4, 2019, with flights to Portland, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. United Airlines followed suit on March 31, 2019, with service to Denver and San Francisco. Thus, while Southwest Airlines initially intended to service Paine Field Airport in 2018, they ultimately did not commence operations there.

The airline offered five flights daily

Southwest Airlines announced on 25 January 2018 that it would serve Paine Airport with five flights daily, three to Oakland and two to Las Vegas. This would make it the third airline to fly out of the Snohomish County airport, and the third passenger airline to fly out of Paine Field in Everett.

The airline's move brought the new commercial air terminal to full capacity, with a total of 48 daily takeoffs and landings. This was 50% higher than airport officials had cited the year before when introducing the future passenger terminal. This increase in flights may have been a concern for local residents worried about increased airplane noise, but Snohomish County officials asserted that the airport activity would remain within the parameters outlined in its environmental impact assessment.

Southwest Chairman and Chief Executive Gary Kelly stated that the airline had "wanted to grow in the Seattle metro market for quite some time", but that the Sea-Tac airport was "constrained". Paine Field, therefore, presented a "wonderful alternative" for customers.

However, on 15 November 2018, Southwest reversed its decision and transferred its slots to Alaska Airlines. This was potentially due to larger expansion plans, with Hawaii being the focus of Southwest's expansion for the following year.

Paine Field is a small airport with limited gates

Paine Field, also known as Paine Field Airport or Seattle Paine Field International Airport, is a small airport with just two gates and an additional hardstand space. The airport was built in 1936 and began commercial service in 1939, but it was briefly used for military purposes between 1950 and 1966. Paine Field resumed commercial service in 2019, and currently offers flights to several destinations in the western US, including Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

The small size of Paine Field, with its limited gates, has not deterred airlines from serving the airport. In fact, the demand for flights at Paine Field has led to discussions about expanding its capacity. When Southwest Airlines announced its intention to serve the airport in 2018, it highlighted the potential for growth in the Seattle metro market. Southwest Chairman and Chief Executive Gary Kelly stated that Paine Field would be a "wonderful alternative" for their customers.

However, the addition of Southwest Airlines to the roster of airlines serving Paine Field brought the new commercial air terminal to full capacity. With a total of 48 daily takeoffs and landings, the airport was already exceeding the initial expectations of airport officials. This increase in traffic prompted concerns from local residents about increased airplane noise.

Despite the limited number of gates at Paine Field, the airport has a significant impact on the local economy. The commercial air service at Paine Field contributes over $60 billion to the regional economy annually and provides convenient travel options for residents and businesses. Paine Field's proximity to the Boeing Everett Factory, the world's largest building by volume, further enhances its importance in the aviation industry.

While there are currently no plans to add more gates to Paine Field, the airport continues to adapt to changing demands. The introduction of commercial service at the airport was a response to the need for additional transportation options in the region. Paine Field's ability to accommodate a mix of small private aircraft and larger commercial planes showcases its flexibility and potential for future growth.

Southwest Airlines transferred its slots to Alaska Airlines

Paine Field is an airport in Seattle, Washington, that was built in 1936 and began commercial service in 1939. The airport was named Paine Field in 1941, after Topliff Olin Paine, before the Army Air Corps began using it for military purposes. Paine Field briefly returned to civilian use from 1946 to 1950, but it was converted into an air force base during the Korean War. In the 1970s, the airport became a hub for light aviation and manufacturing, and it lacked commercial service.

In May 2017, Alaska Airlines announced that it would operate from Paine Field, offering flights to several destinations on the west coast of the US. In January 2018, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines also announced their intention to serve the airport. Southwest Airlines planned to operate five daily flights, three to Oakland and two to Las Vegas. However, in November 2018, Southwest reversed its decision and transferred its slots to Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines acquired five additional landing slots from Southwest Airlines, allowing it to increase its daily nonstop flights between Paine Field and eight West Coast cities to 18. This development positioned Alaska Airlines as the primary carrier at Paine Field, alongside United Airlines. The initial commercial flight schedule included 24 daily departures, exceeding the airport managers' initial plans.

The decision by Southwest Airlines to transfer its slots to Alaska Airlines can be attributed to various factors. One reason may be Southwest's focus on expanding to Hawaii, which was highlighted by Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly as their priority for the following year. Additionally, there were speculations that Southwest's withdrawal from Paine Field could be a strategic move to avoid direct competition with Alaska Airlines in their respective core markets.

While there has been speculation about Southwest Airlines' potential expansion into Alaska, it has not been realized as of November 2023. The intense competition in the Alaska market, dominated by Alaska Air, and the seasonal nature of demand have been cited as possible deterrents. However, some customers have expressed their desire for Southwest to enter the market, anticipating lower fares and increased options.

The airline planned to expand to Hawaii

Southwest Airlines announced on January 25, 2018, that it intended to service Paine Airport with five daily flights. However, in November 2018, the airline reversed its decision and transferred its slots to Alaska Airlines.

Expansion to Hawaii

Southwest Airlines has expanded aggressively into Hawaii, increasing its interisland schedule to 60 daily flights. However, the airline has also scaled back its ambitions in certain markets, discontinuing several mainland-Hawaii routes and downgrading others to seasonal services. Despite this, the airline remains committed to its expansion in Hawaii, with all flights to the islands operated on 737-800 and MAX aircraft.

The airline has also offered promotions to attract customers, such as a 25% discount on base fares for interisland flights when booked with a trip between the mainland and Hawaii. Additionally, Southwest Airlines allows customers to change their flight itinerary with no change fees, although a fare difference may apply. The airline also provides information on the restrictions on transporting agricultural products from Hawaii to the US mainland.

While Southwest's mainland-Hawaii routes average over 2,500 miles, its interisland flights are less than 150 miles on average. Despite its growth in Hawaii, there are questions about the success of the airline's strategy, with signs that parts of its Hawaii route network are underperforming.

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