Starting March 9, SeaPort Airlines will launch a unique direct service between Seattle and Spokane. Flights will operate from the smaller Boeing Field and Felts Field airports on Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, allowing passengers to completely avoid the lengthy TSA screening procedures typical of major airports. This is the first regular commercial service from Felts Field since 1946. Boeing Field, which primarily serves private and charter aviation as well as cargo, is not a major passenger hub, so it does not require the same strict screening procedures as Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.
The airline plans to operate up to four round trips per day, which is especially convenient for business travel. As CEO Kent Craford noted, you can now “wake up in Spokane, spend a full workday in Seattle, and be home for dinner.” The key idea is to offer an alternative to congested Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, saving travelers time and stress. This route is especially valuable given that Seattle and Spokane—separated by nearly 450 kilometers (about 280 miles) and the Cascade Range—represent different economic regions: a tech hub in the west and an important center for healthcare and logistics in the eastern part of the state. The flight takes about an hour, a significant time savings compared with the 4–5 hours by car.
The lack of TSA screening is possible because the aircraft have a small capacity—just nine passengers. Under FAA rules, such flights are regulated as charter operations. Passenger screening will be similar to checks on buses or ferries. Additional conveniences include free parking at the terminal and the ability to check in as little as 20 minutes before departure. One-way fares start at $299.
The flight itself also promises to be comfortable. Chief pilot Ian Fisk, who calls the PC-12 his “sports car,” notes the aircraft can fly up to 28,000 feet, above bad weather. The cabin is quiet and warm, and every passenger effectively has both a window seat and an aisle. Pilots know passengers by name, creating an intimate, personalized atmosphere.
About 500 people travel daily between Spokane and Seattle. Spokane Airport director David Haring believes a calmer, faster travel option will be in high demand. He sees the project as a sign of dynamic changes in the aviation industry and does not rule out that this convenient regional model could spread to other U.S. cities.
Based on: Airline to offer TSA-free flights from Seattle’s Boeing Field to Spokane