SeaPort Airlines announced a new direct air route between Spokane and Olympia, set to begin operations on January 8, 2027. The service aims to provide faster travel options for passengers during Washington state’s legislative session.
Flight Schedule and Flight Duration
Flights will operate on Fridays and Sundays throughout the 2027 legislative session, which runs from January 11 to April 25. Departures from Spokane will be from Felts Field Regional Airport on Sunday afternoons, with return flights leaving Olympia Regional Airport on Friday nights. The scheduled flight time between the two cities is approximately one hour, compared to about five hours by car.
SeaPort Airlines will
use its Pilatus PC-12 aircraft on these routes, each with a nine-passenger capacity.
Pricing and Passenger Convenience
One-way fares for the Spokane-Olympia flights will start at $279. Passengers will benefit from no TSA screening requirements, allowing them to check in just 20 minutes before departure, reducing travel time further.
Airports and Legislative Session Context
Flights will operate out of Spokane’s Felts Field Regional Airport and Olympia Regional Airport. The schedule aligns with the legislative session to improve transit options for legislators, business representatives, advocates, and citizens needing to access the state capital.
Passenger Demand, Current Routes, and Industry Competition
Dave Haring, CEO of Felts Field and Spokane International Airport, stated that approximately 500 passengers travel daily
each way between Spokane and Western Washington. SeaPort Airlines currently serves Seattle, Spokane, and Portland, including seasonal routes between Portland and Bend.
Alaska Airlines offers flights between Spokane International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, with one-way fares starting at $164 in early January. SeaPort Airlines flights do not require TSA screening, expediting boarding compared to competing services.
SeaPort Airlines CEO and Founder Ken Craford said, “Whether you’re a legislator, business owner, advocate or citizen who wants to make their voice heard, getting to Olympia will no longer require an entire day of travel.”
Jasmine Vasavada, President of the Port of
Olympia Commission, added that convenient air access supports the regional economy and improves accessibility to Washington’s capital.
Craford further noted, “Working with the Port of Olympia, we’re using existing airports and proven aircraft to deliver something Washington travelers have needed for years: a faster, more practical way to reach their state capital.”
