For Jenn Maurer, Southwest’s pending exit from the Bellingham market has left her trying to find another option to fly out of the city to work as a wedding photographer.
“It’s been really great to have a local airport that I can trust,” said the 30-year-old Bellingham resident. “Change is always difficult, so I’m sure I’ll figure something else out, but I’d rather not have to.”
Maurer is one of numerous Bellingham-area residents who have expressed disappointment with the decision and are now trying to find other options to replace the convenience offered by Southwest. The Dallas-based airline said the reason for closing the BLI route, as well as three others, and reducing flights at two major airports, is due to delayed deliveries of Boeing aircraft and economic factors. The airline announced that its last day of operation will be August 4th.
Kip Turner, BLI’s director of aviation, said the airport was optimistic that the airport’s existing airlines, such as Alaska Airlines and Allegiant, would improve service following Southwest’s departure and suggested new options.
“We will get more services to replace what is leaving,” he said, but did not elaborate on which operators could be joining BLI.
As travelers continue to search for solutions, here is a list of travel options and tips.
Keep going to BLI
Three daily flights to Seattle from Bellingham are operated by Alaska Airlines. Allegiant also offers flights to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Oakland, Los Angeles and San Diego, but not all of them are daily flights.
Turner encouraged passengers to continue flying out of Bellingham as it is cheap and convenient for travelers.
Airport transportation
Bellair Airporter Shuttle offers daily transportation every one to two hours between Bellingham and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. You must book in advance and tickets cost up to $101 round trip. However, it’s not the quickest way to SeaTac, with the trip taking over three hours if you depart from Ferndale.
Bellair buses also make occasional stops at Paine Field, but you must call ahead to schedule. That phone number is (866) 235-5247.
There is also Quick Shuttle service from Bellingham to Vancouver International Airport. You can catch the bus at four different times in the afternoon at BLI and then disembark at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. From there you can take a taxi or the skytrain to the airport. A one-way ticket costs US$44 and passengers can bring one standard suitcase, one carry-on bag and one personal item.
Travelers can also take the daily Greyhound bus from Western Washington University to SeaTac for about $80 round trip. The trip takes almost three hours, with two stops at the University of Washington and 6th Avenue South and South Lane Street.
Fly out of Vancouver
You can choose to fly out of Vancouver International Airport, recently awarded “Best Airport in North America” by Skytrax, the gold standard in airport reviews.
YVR is an hour north, but you take your travel destination into your own hands when you factor in the time spent crossing the Blaine border.
Four parking options are available at the airport: Gateway Valet, parkade, jetSet YVR parking and long-term parking. The valet option is the most expensive, with a daily rate costing almost $50 CAD, with a $20 valet fee. Long-term parking is $27.50 CAD per day, and a free train will take you directly to terminal.
If you plan to travel internationally, YVR offers a variety of flights to Mexico, Europe and Asia.
Fly out of Paine Field in Everett
Drive (approximately) an hour south to Seattle Paine Field International Airport in Everett to catch flights offered by Alaska Airlines, the only airline. Destinations include: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Orange County, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Anchorage and Honolulu.
The airport also offers uncovered parking for up to US$34 per day in the premium lot or up to US$24 in the economy lot.
Fly out of SeaTac
SeaTac, of course, is an hour and a half south on Interstate 5.
Parking rates at SeaTac range from $37 per day for drive-up parking to $47 per day for airport reservation only.
For those who want to park in one of the other lots that offer transportation to SeaTac, daily rates cost around US$20.
Train and transit options
The Link Light Rail option in Seattle offers a few drop-off points north of the city. For those coming from Bellingham, it is recommended that you park or ask a friend to drop you off at the Northgate light rail station, located near the Northgate Mall. A one-way ticket to the airport will cost about $3.50.
Take the Angle Lake train for about 50 minutes, or 17 stops, and get off at the SeaTac-Airport station. From there, it’s a 7 to 9 minute walk to the terminal. An electric shuttle between the light rail station and the airport skybridge runs between 5am and midnight if walking is inaccessible. The rear of the bus has space for luggage.
You can take the Amtrak train from the Fairhaven station at 401 Harris Ave. in Bellingham to Seattle. The train will drop you off at King Street station and you will still have to take the light rail or share a ride to the airport.
Train tickets start at $27 per bus and go up from there. The average time to Seattle is 2.5 hours by train.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/business reporter; contact her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
