SeatacSeatac Connection
Things to do in Seattle

Seaplane flights

Kenmore Air's scenic floatplane flights take off right from Lake Union: a quick loop over the skyline, the stadiums and Elliott Bay, with a window seat for everyone.

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The useful answer

Should this fit your day?

Best for
Anyone who wants the whole city from above in under an hour, and aviation fans who want to take off from water.
Time to protect
Allow about an hour for the Seattle Scenic flight: check-in, 25 minutes in the air and a few minutes to land and walk off.
Cruise-day fit
Lake Union is a short ride from Pier 66 and a little farther from Pier 91. It's quick enough for the day before a sailing, but weather can push a flight back, so skip it on boarding morning.
From the terminals
Both piers are a short ride from Lake Union; neither is a walk with luggage. The terminal's bag storage helps if you're between hotel and ship.
Before a flight
A 25-minute flight fits an arrival or departure day if you leave a weather buffer. Lake Union is north of downtown, so allow for the drive to SEA afterwards.

Which terminal is your flight from?

Kenmore Air flies scenic trips from three places. Give your driver the right one.

  1. Lake Union, South Lake Union

    The 25-minute Seattle Scenic flight. 950 Westlake Avenue North, close to downtown.

  2. Kenmore, north end of Lake Washington

    The Lake Washington and San Juan Islands flights. 6321 NE 175th Street, Kenmore: a longer ride north.

  3. Boeing Field, south of downtown

    The Volcanoes flight over Rainier and St. Helens. 7277 Perimeter Road South, on the way toward SEA.

Book a ride to Lake Union →

What to know before you go

  1. 01

    The Seattle Scenic flight takes about 25 minutes. It lifts off Lake Union, passes the University of Washington and its lakeside stadium, then loops over Elliott Bay, the downtown skyline and the sports stadiums before landing back on the lake. Everyone gets a window seat.

  2. 02

    Kenmore Air's Lake Union terminal is at 950 Westlake Avenue North, on the south shore of the lake in South Lake Union. It has free bag storage on site.

  3. 03

    There are longer flights too. The Lake Washington flight (about 25 minutes) and the San Juan Islands flight (about two hours) leave from Kenmore Air's base in Kenmore, on the north shore of Lake Washington. The Volcanoes flight over Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens takes about two hours in a wheeled plane from Boeing Field.

  4. 04

    Check-in is in person: arrive at least 30 minutes before your flight. Check-in closes 15 minutes before, and the plane can leave without you.

  5. 05

    Seaplanes fly by sight, so fog or low cloud can delay or cancel a flight. If the weather cancels yours, Kenmore Air offers a refund, a new date or a flight credit.

  6. 06

    The floatplanes are Beavers and Otters. Getting aboard means climbing narrow steps with only a little help, and there are no wheelchairs at the docks.

Flights, seasons and schedules vary. Check Kenmore Air's official site for current flights, check-in rules and tickets before you go.

Tours and activities

Tours and tickets for a seaplane flight

Well-reviewed tours and tickets, with current prices. Check a date to see open start times, then book with Viator.

Tours are sold and run through Viator; booking opens viator.com in a new tab, and Viator confirms the final price and time. Seatac may earn a commission.

Book tickets and tours

Pick a ticket time that leaves room for the ride back. Timed entry, guided tours and city passes all work; check the live price and times for your date.

  • Tours and activities

    Seattle tours and tickets

    Guided tours, attraction tickets and day trips around Seattle, including options near a seaplane flight.

    See tours and tickets

Opens a booking partner in a new tab; Seatac Connection may earn a commission. You can also buy direct on the Kenmore Air Seattle Scenic Flight page.

Get a ride there

Drop-off: Seaplane flights over Seattle, Kenmore Air Lake Union terminal

Starting from

Your fare is worked out for the exact trip on the next step, before you pay. Want the car to wait while you visit? Book by the hour.

Cruise day: a seaplane flight between the ship and your flight

Off the ship with a few hours before your flight? Book the ride from the pier and the ride on to the airport now, so each driver knows where you are going.

  1. Step 1

    Ride from the pier

    Both piers are a short ride from Lake Union; neither is a walk with luggage. The terminal's bag storage helps if you're between hotel and ship.

    From Pier 66From Pier 91

  2. Step 2

    Visit a seaplane flight

    Allow about an hour for the Seattle Scenic flight: check-in, 25 minutes in the air and a few minutes to land and walk off.

    Tickets and tours

  3. Step 3

    Ride on to Seatac Airport

    A 25-minute flight fits an arrival or departure day if you leave a weather buffer. Lake Union is north of downtown, so allow for the drive to SEA afterwards.

    Seaplane flights to the airport

Big bags

  • Pier 66: Same-day bag storage is available. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.
  • Pier 91: Same-day bag storage in the Crew Center, north of the Ground Transportation Center. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.

Stored bags mean a stop back at the pier before the airport. To keep them with you instead, book a car by the hour and the driver waits with your luggage.

Planning the whole cruise trip? Keep a seaplane flight on it with the rides around it.

Plan the whole cruise trip

Not sure which pier? Find your ship and pier or compare Pier 66 and Pier 91.

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