Airports In Seattle: A Comprehensive Guide

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac Airport, is the primary airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Washington. It is located in the city of SeaTac, approximately 14 miles (23 km) south of downtown Seattle. The airport covers an area of 2,500 acres (1,000 hectares) and has three parallel runways. In addition to Sea-Tac, there are several other smaller airports in the Seattle area, including King County International Airport and Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base.

Airports in Seattle:

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

The history of Seattle–Tacoma International Airport dates back to the late 1920s when the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma proposed a shared public airport. However, these plans were initially deferred due to legal concerns. It wasn't until the 1940s that the project gained traction. In 1941, the state legislature authorized municipal corporations to establish aviation facilities, and in 1942, the Port of Seattle received a significant grant to construct a new airport to serve the Seattle area, as the US military had taken control of Boeing Field during World War II. A site on US Route 99 near Bow Lake was chosen, and construction commenced.

Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and improvements. The first parking lot opened in 1955, and in 1957, the United States Postal Service established its air mail terminal at the airport. In 1959, Japan Airlines became the first international carrier to operate at Sea–Tac, offering service to Tokyo. The airport continued to grow and develop, addressing challenges such as noise and environmental concerns, and adding new runways to accommodate increasing air traffic.

Today, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It serves as the primary hub for Alaska Airlines and a major gateway for Delta Air Lines. As of 2022, 31 airlines operate at Sea–Tac, serving 91 domestic and 28 international destinations across North America, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The airport also boasts a variety of amenities, including dining, retail, and convenient parking options.

King County International Airport

The airport serves small commercial passenger airlines, cargo carriers, private pilots, corporate jets, helicopters, and military aircraft. It is also home to various Boeing Company operations, including flight tests and deliveries of newly manufactured planes, as well as the Museum of Flight, which displays iconic aircraft like the first Boeing 747 and an ex-British Airways Concorde.

The history of King County International Airport dates back to 1928 when it was constructed and served as Seattle's primary airport. However, with the opening of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ("Sea-Tac") in 1944, Boeing Field's role evolved into a significant regional general aviation and industrial airport. The airport has played a crucial role in Boeing's operations, with the initial assembly of the Boeing 737 taking place there in the 1960s.

Today, King County International Airport continues to be an important aviation hub, providing a convenient location for celebrities, dignitaries, and sports teams visiting Seattle. It also offers a range of services, including 24-hour customer service and police services contracted with the King County Sheriff's Office to ensure the safety and security of its passengers and staff.

Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base

Seattle is served by the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), which is the primary international airport serving the city and its surrounding metropolitan area. However, there is another, smaller airport in the city: the Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base. This airport is also known as the Seattle Lake Union Seaplane Base and is located on Lake Union, 1.2 miles north of Downtown Seattle. The airport is just 3 acres in size and has one runway that is 5,000 feet by 500 feet. This runway is designated 16/34 and runs from Gas Works Park in the north to Lake Union Park in the south.

The Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base is a unique airport, as it is a seaplane base, meaning that it is used for seaplanes, or floatplanes, to take off and land on the water. Kenmore Air, the top-rated and trusted seaplane company in the region, operates from this airport and offers flights to 45 destinations, including the San Juan Islands, Victoria, lower British Columbia, and Tacoma. They also provide scenic flight tours of nearby volcanoes and other attractions.

The airport handled 43,500 aircraft operations in the year ending December 31, 2022, averaging 119 per day. The majority of these flights were air taxi services (82%), with the remaining 18% being general aviation. The airport is easily accessible, with Seattle–Tacoma International Airport just 21km away, and it offers stunning views of the city and surrounding area.

If you are planning to fly from Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base, it is recommended that you arrive at least two hours before your flight to ensure a smooth departure. This airport provides a unique and convenient way to travel to and from Seattle, with seaplanes offering a novel way to experience the city and its surrounding natural beauty.

Airport noise-compatibility

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (also known as Sea-Tac Airport) is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Washington. It is the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest region of North America and is owned by the Port of Seattle.

In the 1970s, residents of the area surrounding the airport filed lawsuits against the Port of Seattle, complaining of noise, vibration, smoke, and other issues. In response, the Port and the government of King County adopted the Sea-Tac Communities Plan in 1976 to address these problems and guide future development. As part of this plan, the Port spent over $100 million to buy homes and school buildings in the vicinity and soundproof others nearby.

In the mid-1980s, the airport participated in the airport noise-compatibility program initiated by Congress in 1979. This program involved developing airport-noise contours, purchasing real estate, and retrofitting some homes with noise mitigation measures.

Today, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport offers one of the most comprehensive aircraft noise reduction programs in the nation. The airport's Noise Programs Office works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airlines, and local communities to monitor existing noise programs and develop new ways to reduce airport and aircraft noise. The office focuses on sound insulation programs and noise abatement programs, such as flight tracking systems and noise abatement flight procedures for jet aircraft.

In 2024, the Port of Seattle will begin a new multi-year Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study update for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This study is a voluntary FAA program that sets guidelines for airport operators to document aircraft noise exposure and establish noise abatement and compatible land-use programs. The study will evaluate aircraft noise levels and land uses, producing contour maps that show existing and future aircraft sound levels. The Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) phase will recommend measures to reduce noise and incompatible land uses within the noise exposure area, including noise abatement, noise mitigation, and preventative measures.

Airport history

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac Airport, is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Washington. It is located in the city of SeaTac, approximately 14 miles (23 km) south of downtown Seattle. The airport covers an area of 2,500 acres (1,000 hectares) and has three parallel runways.

The history of Seattle–Tacoma International Airport dates back to the late 1920s when the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma proposed a shared public airport. However, these plans were deferred due to legal issues regarding public ports operating such facilities. It wasn't until the 1940s that plans for a new airport in Seattle gained traction. In March 1942, the Port of Seattle accepted a $1 million grant (equivalent to $14.7 million in 2023 dollars) from the Civil Aeronautics Administration to construct an airport to serve the Seattle area after the US military took control of Boeing Field during World War II. A site on U.S. Route 99 near Bow Lake, south of Seattle, was chosen, and construction commenced.

The airport continued to expand and develop over the following decades. In 1955, the first parking lot at Sea-Tac opened, accommodating 527 vehicles. The United States Postal Service established an airmail terminal at the airport in 1957, serving areas west of the Mississippi River and mail bound for Asia. In 1959, Japan Airlines became the first international carrier to operate at Sea-Tac, offering a service to Tokyo. The airport underwent further expansion in the early 1960s, including a runway extension over South 188th Street, which led to the discovery and excavation of a fossilized skeleton of a Megalonyx jeffersonii giant sloth.

In the 1970s, the airport faced opposition from residents of the surrounding area due to concerns over noise, vibration, and smoke. As a result, the Sea-Tac Communities Plan was adopted in 1976 to address these issues and guide future development. The airport also participated in the airport noise-compatibility program initiated by Congress in 1979. In the 1990s, there was controversy over the construction of a third runway, with community members and local governments opposing the plan. However, a study concluded that there were no feasible sites for an additional airport, and the Port of Seattle approved the new runway in 1996. After legal challenges and agreements on noise reduction and environmental protection measures, the third runway was finally opened in 2008.

Frequently asked questions