Paine Field Update: It Looks Darn Good in There
There was a day when airline travel meant first-class treatment, no matter how much you paid for tickets. A trip to the sky warranted suits, lipstick, and dapper shoes.
Maybe something’s gone awry. Not to knock modern travel, but raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like cattle being herded through a maze-like terminal.
Propeller Airports, the investors behind the new commercial terminal at Paine Field, are bringing dignity back to flight. That’s their stated mission. And they’re bringing it to Snohomish County.
The terminal at Paine Field // Jake Campbell, Courtesy Snohomish County
Visitors to Everett’s newest boutique terminal might feel like they’re checking into a hotel rather than an airport. Passengers can expect concierge services, valet parking, a full bar stocked with Northwest wines, real stone fireplaces and atmospheric light—care of floor-to-ceiling windows and an elegant chandelier.
The design details that went into Paine Field are “reflective of the sophistication of Snohomish County.”
The real magic is in the details. Propeller designed the airport’s interior to feel like a lounge—selecting the finest fit and finish for their customers.
Relaxing before a flight on Swiss-designed lounge chairs? We’re in // Jake Campbell, Courtesy Snohomish County
The leather furniture is made by Vitra, a family-owned Swiss design company. Each seat in the lounge has an electrical outlet and a cell phone charging station. Bose speakers pipe music into the terminal. The speakers are set into a natural wood ceiling designed by Swiss audio engineers Topakustik.
The materiality of the place is stunning, too. Stone fireplaces, granite and live edge countertops mimic the natural elegance of Snohomish County.
But my favorite feature of Paine Field is the Solari board. Designed by IT contractor Amadeus, the large digital board greets passengers as they step into the terminal. The board lists all flights to and from regional destinations. As the flights are updated, the destinations “flip” digitally, accompanied by a virtual clattering sound—just like the analog Solari boards still used in some European train stations and airports.
The digital Solari board, when complete, will clatter just like its analog counterparts // Jake Campbell, Courtesy Snohomish County
It’s this level of detail that makes me pause.
This is in Everett?
In a recent interview, Propeller CEO Brett Smith stated that the design details that went into Paine Field are “reflective of the sophistication of Snohomish County.”
What a nice compliment to pay the Everett area. And he’s backing it up with a big investment.
Fireside at the airport // Jake Campbell Courtesy Snohomish County
I’ve had the privilege of touring Paine Field twice now. I’ve been hyping it up to anybody who will listen. Naturally, I believe that good things happen here, and I believe that Paine Field is the harbinger of more good things to come for our city.
2019’s been a real humdinger for the airport so far. There was the federal shutdown (no FAA), followed by February’s snowstorms. As of this writing, Paine Field is on track to open in late March 2019.
I hope you’re able to visit in the near future to experience for yourself what traveling with dignity feels like.
Paine Field Quick Facts
Flights are scheduled to begin March 2019.
United and Alaska airlines will service Paine Field with 24 flights per day.
Fly to 10 destinations:
Denver
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Orange County, CA
Phoenix
Portland
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose, CA
Paine Field
3220 100th St SW
Everett, WA 98204
Richard Porter is a writer for Live in Everett.
