Roughly 15,000 people a week are flying out of new Paine Field in Everett

EVERETT, Wash. — Two months in, approximately 10,000 to 15,000 a week people are flying out of Paine Field, the new commercial airport in Everett that features 24 flights daily.

Propeller Airports runs the new commercial passenger terminal, and CEO Brett Smith says they’re trying to make it a convenient and relaxing alternative that actually brings your blood pressure down, instead of up.

“People are not waiting in lines, they’re getting right through security to their gates within minutes,” he said. “You still have to follow airline policy, but the actual experience at the terminal is quick.”

“I had an email from a guest who left home at 6:40 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. departure, and was in my airplane seat by 7:04 a.m.”

Smith says ample parking is within 30 feet of the terminal, which they’ve set up to be more akin to a hotel lobby. The TSA security checkpoints are a few feet away, where passengers will find a lounge with fireplaces.

The two-gate airport features daily flights from both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines. Southwest Airlines was originally slated to fly out of Paine Field as well, but sold its place to Alaska. Including both inbound and outbound, about 25,000 to 30,000 passengers move through the airport each week.

Smith says they’re continuing to make improvements, like adding food options and cup holders to their chairs.

“A lot of airports tend to be me more like bus terminals these days because so many people are going through it. Because we’re a small airport, we can cater more to individual needs,” he said.

“We’re trying to bring down the stress level of what travel has become.”

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