(EVERETT, WASHINGTON) Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) has been ranked #5 Best Airport in the United States by The Washington Post, placing ahead of far larger hubs and drawing new attention to a small, high-comfort terminal that has reshaped air travel for the north Puget Sound. The Post’s 2025 list, published on June 26, 2025, used 2024 operational data, reader surveys, and public ratings to score airports on wait times, access, and overall passenger experience. Paine Field’s boutique model—simple, calm, and quick—stood out in a year when many airports struggled with crowding and delays.
The top-five ranking caps a swift rise since commercial passenger service started in 2019. The airport handled 580,000 travelers in 2024 and projects a 15% increase in 2025, supported by a growing schedule and a strong shift to leisure routes. Alaska Airlines remains the anchor carrier, with Frontier Airlines launching service in June 2025 to Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, smaller regional terminals can reduce stress and total trip time for many families by trimming the grind from check-in to boarding, especially when parking and security are simple.
Why Paine Field Ranked Highly
The Washington Post evaluated security wait times, ease of access, and user reviews before placing Paine Field fifth nationwide, ahead of larger airports like Detroit, Indianapolis, and Salt Lake City. The score reflects a consistent pattern: passengers praise short lines, easy parking, and a polished terminal with fireplaces, modern design, and local food options. Many travelers fly out of Everett to avoid longer drives, crowded garages, and long queues at Sea-Tac.
“Our goal was to transform the airport experience, and this ranking reflects our commitment to traveler convenience and comfort,” said Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports, which developed and operates the passenger terminal.
Alaska Airlines spokesman Ray Lane has described a strategy centered on leisure routes to California, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Hawaii—choices that match demand patterns in Snohomish and adjacent counties.
Name Change, Economic Impact, and Local Benefits
The airport’s new name, adopted in 2024—now Seattle Paine Field International Airport—aims to strengthen business attraction without changing the historic PAE code. County officials say the name anchors Everett in the wider travel market while keeping Paine Field’s identity intact.
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers cites an annual $60 billion economic impact and more than 150,000 jobs supported across the broader airport ecosystem, from advanced manufacturing to services. For local employers, more flights mean faster access to clients, suppliers, and training. Residents gain options that cut the need to cross Lake Washington or head into central Seattle.
Recognition, Data, and Operations
Paine Field’s service model is designed to simplify each step. Travelers can use on-site parking or valet, move through streamlined check-in, and clear security in minutes. The terminal features floor-to-ceiling windows and glass jet-bridges, with seating that feels more like a living room than a transit hall.
Many families now plan trips around Paine Field’s schedule, even if it means an extra connection in Denver or Las Vegas, because the overall journey can be easier.
- The airport’s commercial revival started modestly in 2019 and has since served more than 3.4 million passengers.
- The addition of Frontier in June 2025 brings new nonstops to Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
- Alaska has concentrated on high-demand leisure routes serving the region.
The Washington Post’s ranking weighed TSA performance and access as core measures. While Paine Field is small, its scale is part of its strength: fewer flights mean less crowding, shorter security lines, and a calmer gate area.
For official TSA screening and ID guidance, see tsa.gov/travel/security-screening. Airport updates, including parking tips and terminal hours, are on the official site, flypainefield.com.
The Snohomish County Airport Commission—13 members representing community groups, business, and aviation—adopted amended bylaws in October 2024 and continues to advise on master planning, noise, and capital projects. Meetings and commission materials are accessible through the airport’s website, offering residents a direct channel to ask questions or flag concerns.
Growth Plans, Community Voice, and Regional Impact
While the Best Airport recognition focused on travel quality, it arrives as Paine Field explores measured growth. Propeller Airports confirms it is working on design plans for terminal expansion—more gates and more airline options are on the table—though details remain confidential.
The airport also continues a formal master planning process with public input to guide future terminal, general aviation, and cargo needs. Officials say there is room to grow, and the timing may be right: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reached its design capacity with 52.6 million passengers in 2024, creating pressure on the region to spread demand.
Community concerns and planning elements include:
- Advisory committees with county officials, Boeing, business leaders, and local residents.
- Environmental assessments and public comment windows.
- Noise, traffic, and environmental reviews balanced against economic benefits.
- Support for Sustainable Aviation Fuel and reduced ground-vehicle emissions in partnership with the Port of Seattle and stakeholders.
The master planning process includes outreach so residents can weigh in on how more flights could affect daily life. The goal is to grow responsibly—expand choices while limiting noise and keeping traffic manageable.
Passenger Experience and Practical Tips
For many new U.S. residents and families who moved to Snohomish County for tech, aerospace, or healthcare jobs, Paine Field’s simple layout and short lines make domestic trips less stressful. Parents traveling with children, seniors who prefer fewer transfers, and workers on tight schedules often describe the terminal as a relief compared with big hubs.
Paine Field’s future growth could be dramatic—forecasts discussed during planning call for a possible quadrupling of annual passengers by 2040. If that happens, the airport will need:
- More gates and apron space
- New parking and transit solutions
- Additional terminal and support infrastructure
Propeller’s design team and airline partners are evaluating options, with the path forward depending on demand, community input, and capital funding.
Practical playbook for travelers using Paine Field today:
1. Book with Alaska Airlines or Frontier Airlines for West Coast, Colorado, Hawaii, and select leisure routes.
2. Use on-site parking or valet to shorten door-to-gate time.
3. Expect short security lines and a calm boarding area with fireplaces and local dining.
4. Board through glass jet-bridges with attentive staff.
Branding and Regional Benefits
The 2024 name change to Seattle Paine Field International Airport has become a branding win for Everett and Snohomish County. The name gives the region clearer recognition while preserving the Paine Field identity.
- Business groups view the brand as a tool for recruiting companies and conferences.
- Tourism partners highlight easy access to mountain trails, the waterfront, and the Boeing Future of Flight campus.
Keeping the Core Experience Intact
Leaders emphasize that expansion must serve people first. A larger terminal only succeeds if it preserves the qualities that earned national recognition: short lines, a warm modern feel, and travel that doesn’t drain the joy from a trip.
The county’s advisory process and regular updates via the airport website are intended to keep that promise in view. Commission information and public meeting notices are available at flypainefield.com. Propeller Airports posts development news and project updates at propellerairports.com.
For now, the fifth-place finish in The Washington Post’s 2025 rankings puts Everett on the national stage. It signals that smaller airports can compete on service and comfort, even against much bigger hubs. Travelers who have tried Paine Field say the difference starts at the curb and continues through boarding: fewer lines, less noise, and a setting that feels designed for people, not just planes.
If expansion plans keep those traits intact, Everett’s airport won’t just be a Best Airport this year—it could become the model many others try to follow.
This Article in a Nutshell
Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) was ranked #5 in The Washington Post’s 2025 list, reflecting strong performance on 2024 metrics such as short security wait times, ease of access, and positive passenger reviews. The boutique terminal model—emphasizing quick check-in, easy parking, fireplaces, local dining, and glass jet-bridges—helped Paine Field stand out amid crowded major hubs. The airport handled 580,000 passengers in 2024 and expects a 15% increase in 2025 as Alaska Airlines maintains leisure routes and Frontier launched service to Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas in June 2025. County officials cite an estimated $60 billion annual economic impact and support for over 150,000 jobs. Propeller Airports and Snohomish County are pursuing measured expansion through master planning, public engagement, and environmental review while aiming to preserve the airport’s low-stress experience. Practical traveler advice includes using on-site parking or valet, booking with Alaska or Frontier, and expecting short security lines. The recognition highlights how smaller regional airports can relieve pressure on larger hubs and serve as models of passenger-focused growth.
