Southwest Airlines will offer flights from Paine Field in Everett, WA, subject to approval from governmental and regulatory agencies. Everett is north of Seattle
Southwest plans to operate up to five departures daily from Paine Field. The flight schedule is expected to be announced this spring.
Gary Kelly, Southwest CEO stated. “A new, convenient airport experience in Everett will bring us closer to tens of thousands of our customers while providing a natural springboard for Southwest’s warmth and ease.” Southwest is a major carrier at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
In partnership with Snohomish County, privately owned Propeller Airports broke ground in June 2017 on a new, two-gate passenger terminal facility scheduled to be completed later this year.
Southwest also serves 15 cities nonstop from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with more than 40 departures a day. Southwest has one daily nonstop flight to and from Seattle to Baltimore-Washington.
Baltimore-Washington, which attracts travelers from Delaware and is one of Southwest’s busiest airports, could be one of the candidates for service to the new terminal in Washington state.
Meanwhile, Seattle-Tacoma now ranks as ninth busiest in the nation. It is the hub for Southwest’s West Coast rival Alaska.
Southwest jumped into the Seattle suburb as United and Alaska also signed up for gates at the new passenger airport that will serve a booming region. Southwest grabbed the last five flight slots available as it became clear that the privately operated airport was attracting more carriers than first estimated.
Southwest and Alaska are battling for market share up and down the West Coast as Alaska absorbs Virgin America’s operations. United is also in an expansion mode after years of cutbacks. Alaska also operates a few flights from Baltimore-Washington to the West Coast.
Southwest also maintains service from Philadelphia but cut short-haul flights to New England and Pittsburgh several years during a period of high jet fuel prices, along with stiff competition from US Airways, now American.
Plans for commercial air service at the airport have long been opposed by a neighboring community. However, after a court battle, construction moved forward with restrictions on flight times out of Everett.
