SeaTac Airport is growing fast... - Page 5

mhays · May 27th, 2007, 06:19 PM

See various links here for more info. http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/co...on/index.shtml

pwalker · May 28th, 2007, 01:00 AM

The improvements at Sea-Tac have been impressive and dramatic. The new central terminal is one of the best in the country, and Concourse A is spectacular. Now, improve "D" and the satellites. The new runway is on track and will bring Sea-Tac up a notch in its reputation among top US airports. This comes from someone who remembers a 1980 airport that was bland, boring, and usually quite empty of passengers! Nice to see the turnaround.

CrazyAboutCities · May 29th, 2007, 05:44 AM

Well... No offensive... I am not really impressed with Sea-Tac airport at all. There is only one thing I like most about that airport... New food court. I honestly think that airport should get rebuilt just like Portland International Airport to make it very attractive. I mean Seattle and Puget Sound is very beautiful... Seattle deserves world class airport too.

pwalker · May 29th, 2007, 06:38 AM

I agree, parts of Sea-Tac still need major improvement. Like I said, improvements are needed in the satellites, and the B, C, and especially D concourses. But A is great, and the central terminal is very well-done. The 3rd runway will soon put Sea-Tac in the big-leagues. Portland has done a nice job with their concourses, but the main terminal is old and small. The "road-side" to PDX is nice, but it is just window-dressing. Sea-Tac should re-do it's road-side approach as well. The new light rail station will be a big improvement, and eventually a new terminal may be built to the north of the current terminal.

I remember Sea-Tac as being completely boring, lots of wasted space, narrow old concourses, and limited amenities. The progress has been quite amazing. I agree more needs to be done, but I think the Port is on its way.

mhays · May 29th, 2007, 07:09 AM

Our frontage roads and ticketing/check-in area are undersized. That's the one potentially intractable problem. But they've reduced the problem by relocating the taxi stand and other ground transport to the garage. In the check-in area, the new touchscreen systems might reduce lines enough that it's no longer a problem.

Alternatively some additional conversions inside the garage could provide more drop-off and pick-up areas -- garages are flexible as long as you work within the existing columns. I can imagine creating a second drop-off road inside the garage, and reducing the width of the existing drop-off road to allow some widening of the check-in terminal. This could be done by simply covering the gap between the road and the garage too.

Yes, we should renovate or rebuild the other concourses in the coming decades. That's all in the plan.

The Third Runway will greatly reduce the airport's biggest problem -- reduced capacity for landings in poor weather.

pwalker · May 30th, 2007, 06:47 AM

Sea-Tac's land area is limited. That is why the 3rd runway is such a big victory for the Port.

When Sea-Tac was built in the 1940's, there wasn't much development around it. Of course, 50 years later, that isn't the case. Hindsight is 20/20, but the Port probably should have bought up much more property in the area back in the day. But who knew?

Bottom line, real estate around the airport will be somewhat depressed for decades, unless it is re-zoned for commerical/hotel, etc. But that is the cost of being an in-city airport. I don't see any longterm solution for this problem, unless cities like Tukwila and Burien realize that they need to change zoning for these purposes.

Bottom line, there is no real space for a major new airport in the Seattle metro. So, make due with Sea-Tac. Purchase the needed property now, while it it still relatively affordable. I can see a major world class airport at this site, but the Port needs to be aggressive in buying the land around the current boundaries. The third runway is just the beginning. The land area needs to increase by atleast 50% for future growth. Don't wait, because it will be more difficult in 2020, 2030, etc.

As for Burien and Tukwila, at some point they will understand that a bigger Sea-Tac will not hinder, but help their communities from a tax revenue perspective.

mhays · May 30th, 2007, 07:48 AM

I doubt they'll ever expand the airport boundaries. A fourth runway is a virtual impossibility, and probably not needed now that they're doubling their bad-weather landing capacity.

Another airport in our region would also be virtually impossible. Our only realistic chance is to convert an existing airport to commercial use. I'd like to see commuter service out of Paine Field. Also, commuter service from Boeing Field would be good. Not a major airline with plans to serve the whole country though, i.e. Southwest. Anyway, with some of the commuter service at Sea-Tac taken away, runway capacity becomes a smaller issue. Improved train service to Portland and Vancouver would have a similar effect.

tmaxxfreak11 · May 31st, 2007, 03:16 AM

Alaska Airlines is starting Seattle - Honolulu and Seattle - Kauai. I don't know exactly when it starts. It will be with 737-800s as these are their only aircraft ETOPS certified to fly over the pond.

On a side note, up to the north in Bellingham, Skybus started their Columbus - Bellingham (marketed as Seattle/Vancouver) using A319s. From what I can tell by looking at their schedules, it appears that they intend to Kansas City, Oakland, and Burbank in the future. If this does happen, Bellingham would be their second busiest airport in terms of operations and destinations served behind Columbus. For those of you who don't know who Skybus is, they are a new startup airline based in Columbus, Ohio. They are modeled off Ryanair which is an extremely successful ultra low-cost carrier in Europe. They sell the first 10 seats on each flight for $10 each. As seats are sold the price goes out. They also generated one of the largest amounts of startup cash in the history of airlines, much more than Jetblue. Check them out at www.skybus.com. Apparently more than just seatac is growing in the region. Up to the north, Vancouver is also off to a good start this year.

CityView Jim · May 31st, 2007, 03:41 AM

Wow! Excellent news on AK to HI. Is that this year or no set date? They really seem to be expanding beyond west coast flights.

guinessbeer55 · May 31st, 2007, 05:07 AM

ALASKA AIRLINES!!!!!! really??? wow... soon theyll be in Europe!!!! haha... one day hopefully...

tmaxxfreak11 · May 31st, 2007, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guinessbeer55

ALASKA AIRLINES!!!!!! really??? wow... soon theyll be in Europe!!!! haha... one day hopefully...

Haha, I wish... Their current plans call for fleet commonality, hence them getting rid of their MD-80s. The -900, -400, and MD-80 don't have the legs to do it and the -800s tend to bring in more revenue per flight than the -700 due to similiar operating costs but more seats. Both the -700 and -800 have the legs to do Hawaii, however neither could come close to Europe... I believe I read that these flights are supposed to start in October, I'd imagine that they are year-round.

pwalker · May 31st, 2007, 05:42 AM

While I understand the whole notion of "branding", I've always wondered about the name, "Alaska Airlines". I realize they are THE airline in that state, but they have become so much more than that. When you see an Alaska 737 landing in Orlando, it just doesn't seem right. But, perhaps, it really doesn't matter. Would a new name improve their marketing position? Or would it destroy a brand that consumers identify with? I'm sure this discussion has occured at the Seattle HQ's.

Of course, if they are ever taken over the point may be moot. I've always thought "AlaskaWest", or "AlaskaPacific" might work. But I guess in the end, the airline continues to do well, and why mess with the name? Just some thoughts...

JasonB52 · May 31st, 2007, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rj2uman

I can tell you that the light rail construction is happening much faster than I thought. Just flew out of SeaTac the last week in April and then again this week and the progress has been amazing! It made traffic hell but then again we are used to that in these parts anyway

I'll try to take some pictures of the SeaTac Light Rail Construction. It really is going at light speed right now. Very impressive!

CityView Jim · May 31st, 2007, 03:16 PM

Alaska starts daily service to Honolulu and also to Kauai on October 28th. They'll also do seasonal nonstop runs from Anchorage. Woo hoo!! 35,000 miles for a free ticket (non peak)!!

guinessbeer55 · June 1st, 2007, 12:23 AM

October 12 to Honolulu... and October 28 to Kauai.

Will anyone be at the airport or around that area on June 11 when Air France starts service?? Id love to see some pictures!!!!

tmaxxfreak11 · June 1st, 2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwalker

While I understand the whole notion of "branding", I've always wondered about the name, "Alaska Airlines". I realize they are THE airline in that state, but they have become so much more than that. When you see an Alaska 737 landing in Orlando, it just doesn't seem right. But, perhaps, it really doesn't matter. Would a new name improve their marketing position? Or would it destroy a brand that consumers identify with? I'm sure this discussion has occured at the Seattle HQ's.

Of course, if they are ever taken over the point may be moot. I've always thought "AlaskaWest", or "AlaskaPacific" might work. But I guess in the end, the airline continues to do well, and why mess with the name? Just some thoughts...

The name doesn't really matter, they have a COMPLETE monopoly on the Alaska market, there is almost no competition because they have drove the competition out. They have HUGE FF bases in Seattle and Alaska so the name is not going to stop anyone.

guinessbeer55 · June 2nd, 2007, 08:46 AM

AIR FRANCE IN 10 DAYS!!!!!

CityView Jim · June 2nd, 2007, 05:19 PM

I did notice last week that Air France is up and operational with a ticket counter next to Hawaiian (at the good end!) taking reservations and everything. All ready for June 12th!

tmaxxfreak11 · June 2nd, 2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CityView Jim

I did notice last week that Air France is up and operational with a ticket counter next to Hawaiian (at the good end!) taking reservations and everything. All ready for June 12th!

June 11th

9 days!!!

CrazyAboutCities · June 5th, 2007, 01:14 AM

7 days!!!!

May 30th, 2007, 06:47 AM	#86
pwalker Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Native Seattleite Posts: 1,257 Likes (Received): 3	Sea-Tac's land area is limited. That is why the 3rd runway is such a big victory for the Port. When Sea-Tac was built in the 1940's, there wasn't much development around it. Of course, 50 years later, that isn't the case. Hindsight is 20/20, but the Port probably should have bought up much more property in the area back in the day. But who knew? Bottom line, real estate around the airport will be somewhat depressed for decades, unless it is re-zoned for commerical/hotel, etc. But that is the cost of being an in-city airport. I don't see any longterm solution for this problem, unless cities like Tukwila and Burien realize that they need to change zoning for these purposes. Bottom line, there is no real space for a major new airport in the Seattle metro. So, make due with Sea-Tac. Purchase the needed property now, while it it still relatively affordable. I can see a major world class airport at this site, but the Port needs to be aggressive in buying the land around the current boundaries. The third runway is just the beginning. The land area needs to increase by atleast 50% for future growth. Don't wait, because it will be more difficult in 2020, 2030, etc. As for Burien and Tukwila, at some point they will understand that a bigger Sea-Tac will not hinder, but help their communities from a tax revenue perspective. Last edited by pwalker; May 30th, 2007 at 06:53 AM.

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May 27th, 2007, 06:19 PM	#81
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,376 Likes (Received): 119	See various links here for more info. http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/co...on/index.shtml

May 28th, 2007, 01:00 AM	#82
pwalker Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Native Seattleite Posts: 1,257 Likes (Received): 3	The improvements at Sea-Tac have been impressive and dramatic. The new central terminal is one of the best in the country, and Concourse A is spectacular. Now, improve "D" and the satellites. The new runway is on track and will bring Sea-Tac up a notch in its reputation among top US airports. This comes from someone who remembers a 1980 airport that was bland, boring, and usually quite empty of passengers! Nice to see the turnaround.

May 29th, 2007, 05:44 AM	#83
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,329 Likes (Received): 15	Well... No offensive... I am not really impressed with Sea-Tac airport at all. There is only one thing I like most about that airport... New food court. I honestly think that airport should get rebuilt just like Portland International Airport to make it very attractive. I mean Seattle and Puget Sound is very beautiful... Seattle deserves world class airport too.

May 29th, 2007, 06:38 AM	#84
pwalker Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Native Seattleite Posts: 1,257 Likes (Received): 3	I agree, parts of Sea-Tac still need major improvement. Like I said, improvements are needed in the satellites, and the B, C, and especially D concourses. But A is great, and the central terminal is very well-done. The 3rd runway will soon put Sea-Tac in the big-leagues. Portland has done a nice job with their concourses, but the main terminal is old and small. The "road-side" to PDX is nice, but it is just window-dressing. Sea-Tac should re-do it's road-side approach as well. The new light rail station will be a big improvement, and eventually a new terminal may be built to the north of the current terminal. I remember Sea-Tac as being completely boring, lots of wasted space, narrow old concourses, and limited amenities. The progress has been quite amazing. I agree more needs to be done, but I think the Port is on its way.

May 29th, 2007, 07:09 AM	#85
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,376 Likes (Received): 119	Our frontage roads and ticketing/check-in area are undersized. That's the one potentially intractable problem. But they've reduced the problem by relocating the taxi stand and other ground transport to the garage. In the check-in area, the new touchscreen systems might reduce lines enough that it's no longer a problem. Alternatively some additional conversions inside the garage could provide more drop-off and pick-up areas -- garages are flexible as long as you work within the existing columns. I can imagine creating a second drop-off road inside the garage, and reducing the width of the existing drop-off road to allow some widening of the check-in terminal. This could be done by simply covering the gap between the road and the garage too. Yes, we should renovate or rebuild the other concourses in the coming decades. That's all in the plan. The Third Runway will greatly reduce the airport's biggest problem -- reduced capacity for landings in poor weather.

May 30th, 2007, 07:48 AM	#87
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,376 Likes (Received): 119	I doubt they'll ever expand the airport boundaries. A fourth runway is a virtual impossibility, and probably not needed now that they're doubling their bad-weather landing capacity. Another airport in our region would also be virtually impossible. Our only realistic chance is to convert an existing airport to commercial use. I'd like to see commuter service out of Paine Field. Also, commuter service from Boeing Field would be good. Not a major airline with plans to serve the whole country though, i.e. Southwest. Anyway, with some of the commuter service at Sea-Tac taken away, runway capacity becomes a smaller issue. Improved train service to Portland and Vancouver would have a similar effect.

May 31st, 2007, 03:16 AM	#88
tmaxxfreak11 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 340 Likes (Received): 0	Alaska Airlines is starting Seattle - Honolulu and Seattle - Kauai. I don't know exactly when it starts. It will be with 737-800s as these are their only aircraft ETOPS certified to fly over the pond. On a side note, up to the north in Bellingham, Skybus started their Columbus - Bellingham (marketed as Seattle/Vancouver) using A319s. From what I can tell by looking at their schedules, it appears that they intend to Kansas City, Oakland, and Burbank in the future. If this does happen, Bellingham would be their second busiest airport in terms of operations and destinations served behind Columbus. For those of you who don't know who Skybus is, they are a new startup airline based in Columbus, Ohio. They are modeled off Ryanair which is an extremely successful ultra low-cost carrier in Europe. They sell the first 10 seats on each flight for $10 each. As seats are sold the price goes out. They also generated one of the largest amounts of startup cash in the history of airlines, much more than Jetblue. Check them out at www.skybus.com. Apparently more than just seatac is growing in the region. Up to the north, Vancouver is also off to a good start this year.

May 31st, 2007, 03:41 AM	#89
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,960 Likes (Received): 62	Wow! Excellent news on AK to HI. Is that this year or no set date? They really seem to be expanding beyond west coast flights.

May 31st, 2007, 05:07 AM	#90
guinessbeer55 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 664 Likes (Received): 2	ALASKA AIRLINES!!!!!! really??? wow... soon theyll be in Europe!!!! haha... one day hopefully...

May 31st, 2007, 05:42 AM	#92
pwalker Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Native Seattleite Posts: 1,257 Likes (Received): 3	While I understand the whole notion of "branding", I've always wondered about the name, "Alaska Airlines". I realize they are THE airline in that state, but they have become so much more than that. When you see an Alaska 737 landing in Orlando, it just doesn't seem right. But, perhaps, it really doesn't matter. Would a new name improve their marketing position? Or would it destroy a brand that consumers identify with? I'm sure this discussion has occured at the Seattle HQ's. Of course, if they are ever taken over the point may be moot. I've always thought "AlaskaWest", or "AlaskaPacific" might work. But I guess in the end, the airline continues to do well, and why mess with the name? Just some thoughts...

May 31st, 2007, 03:16 PM	#94
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,960 Likes (Received): 62	Alaska starts daily service to Honolulu and also to Kauai on October 28th. They'll also do seasonal nonstop runs from Anchorage. Woo hoo!! 35,000 miles for a free ticket (non peak)!!

June 1st, 2007, 12:23 AM	#95
guinessbeer55 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 664 Likes (Received): 2	October 12 to Honolulu... and October 28 to Kauai. Will anyone be at the airport or around that area on June 11 when Air France starts service?? Id love to see some pictures!!!!

June 2nd, 2007, 08:46 AM	#97
guinessbeer55 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 664 Likes (Received): 2	AIR FRANCE IN 10 DAYS!!!!!

June 2nd, 2007, 05:19 PM	#98
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,960 Likes (Received): 62	I did notice last week that Air France is up and operational with a ticket counter next to Hawaiian (at the good end!) taking reservations and everything. All ready for June 12th!

June 5th, 2007, 01:14 AM	#100
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,329 Likes (Received): 15	7 days!!!!