Paine Field Gets Green Light to Launch Flights on March 4
Paine Field ā Snohomish County Airport (PAE) in Everett, Washington, has been given the green light to launch passenger flights in early March.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave its approval on Wednesday for the airport to launch its operations. Alaska Airlines will be the first carrier to launch flights out of PAE on March 4, and United will start its operations on March 31. Those two airlines will occupy the two gates in the airport's modern new passenger terminal.
AvGeeks have closely watched the grand opening of the airport's sleek passenger terminal, which was originally slated for early February but was delayed due to regulatory complications during the government shutdown earlier this year. The airport had been waiting for the FAA's approval on a revised environmental assessment.
According to the Associated Press, there are still a few minor regulatory boxes to check before the first airline flights leave from the PAE runway, including $642,000 in fees to be paid to Snohomish County from the private company running the airport and an amended operating certificate from the FAA. But those tasks seem to be largely formalities that will be completed by the deadline.
PAE isn't literally new ā it's existed for decades as the place where Boeing builds most of its aircraft, except 737s and some 787s. It has also been used by airlines for aircraft deliveries and maintenance. But only now is it adding commercial flights out of its stylish passenger terminal with a mission to "bring civility back" to flying.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.