For Jenn Maurer, Southwest’s pending departure from the Bellingham market has left her scrambling to find another option to fly out of town for her job as a wedding photographer.
“It’s been a really great thing to have a local airport that I can rely on,” said the 30-year-old Bellingham resident. “Change is always hard, so I’m sure I’ll figure something else out, but I’d rather not have to.”
Maurer is one of the many Bellingham area residents who have expressed disappointment with the decision and are now trying to find other options to replace the convenience that Southwest offers. The Dallas-based airline said that rationale for closing BLI road, like three others, and reducing flights in two major airports, is due to the delays in the deliveries of the aircraft from Boeing and economic factors. The airline announced that its last day of operation will be August. 4.
Kip Turner, director of aviation at BLI, said the airport was optimistic that existing airlines at the airport, such as Alaska Airlines and Allegiant, would strengthen services after Southwest, and hinted new options.
“We’re going to get more service to replace what’s coming out,” he said, but did not elaborate on what careers might come to BLI.
While flyers continue to look 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 those are daily flights.
Turner encouraged fliers to continue flying out of Bellingham as it is inexpensive and convenient for travelers.
Airport shuttles
Bellair Airporter Shuttle offers daily shuttles 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 fastest way to SeaTac, with the trip taking more than three hours if you leave from Ferndale.
Bellair shuttles also make an occasional stop at Paine Field, but you must call ahead to schedule. This phone number is (866) 235-5247.
There is also the Quick Shuttle service from Bellingham to Vancouver International Airport. You can take the shuttle at four different times in the afternoon from BLI and then be dropped off at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. From there, you can take a taxi or skytrain to the airport. A one-way ticket is $44 and riders can bring a regular bag, carry-on and personal item.
Travelers can also take the daily Greyhound bus from Western Washington University to SeaTac for about $80 round trip. The trip takes nearly 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 Skytraxthe gold standard in airport valuations.
YVR is an hour north, but take your travel destiny into your own hands when you make it past the Blaine border crossing.
Four airport parking options are available: Gateway Valet, the parkade, jetSet YVR parking and long-term parking. The valet option is the most expensive with a day rate costing almost $50CAD, with a $20 valet fee. Long-term parking costs $27.50 CAD per day and a free train will take you directly to the terminal .
If you are looking to travel internationally, YVR offers a range of flights to Mexico, Europe and Asia.
Fly out of Paine Field in Everett
Drive the hour (approximately) 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 $34 a day in the premium lot or up to $24 in the economy lot.
Fly out of SeaTac
SeaTac, of course, is an hour and a half south on Interstate 5.
Parking fees in SeaTac range from $37 a day for drive-up parking to $47 a day for airport-only reservations.
For those who want to park in one of the other parking lots that offer a shuttle to SeaTac, daily parking prices are around $20.
Train and transit options
The Link Light Rail option in Seattle offers a few drop-off points north of the city. For people coming down from Bellingham, it is recommended that you park or have a friend drop you off at the Northgate Light Rail Station, located near the Northgate Mall. A one-way ticket to the airport will cost around $3.50.
Hop on the Angle Lake train for about 50 minutes, or 17 stops, and get off at SeaTac-Airport Station. From there, it’s a 7-9 minute walk to the terminal. An electric shuttle service between the light rail station and the airport sky bridge runs between 5 am and midnight if walking is inaccessible. The back of the shuttle has space for luggage.
You can take the Amtrak train from the Fairhaven station to 401 Harris Ave. in Bellingham to Seattle. The train will leave you at King Street Station and you will still have to take the light rail or a ride to the airport.
Train tickets start at $27 for the 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; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
