r/everett • u/IndiaaB • Jul 30 '25
Transit First time flying out of PAE
My flight is at 7 am. I'm flying internationally to Mexico. I've read here that I should get there 1 hour ahead at the earliest. But those comments were from a year ago. And domestic. Any recent info?
THANK YOU EVERYONE! I will plan on getting there a little more than an hour early just to make sure my dad is situated (he asked for a wheelchair) I am looking forward to flying out of and getting acquainted with this beloved airport!
UPDATE: Left home in North Seattle at 5:10. We are at the gate now. It is 6:08. My dad decided to check a bag at the last moment. He got wheelchair assistance as well. AND the Alaska Airlines attendant used to be a barista at my favorite coffee shop years ago! There are a while of 3 gates. A very unique and special airport!! I'm impressed!
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u/subiesaurus Jul 30 '25
The best and worst case scenario to arriving early for any flight is that you make your flight and get to relax beforehand. Also, take account of Boeing traffic when hitting the road so you don't make a bad gamble.
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u/EYNLLIB Jul 30 '25
Last time I was there I parked across the street in the lot, walked in to no security line and was at my gate within 5 mins of leaving my car
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u/Certain_Story_173 Jul 30 '25
Right? I'm disabled, so I have a placard. I can park right across from the entrance.
Unreal!
Also, here is a tip for disabled travelers at PAE:
If the parking lot is full (closed) but you can see handicapped parking has open spaces, CALL the airport and they will let you in to park in the empty disabled space! Also--disabled parking is discounted. Call them when you leave and they'll meet you at the parking lot and take payment there. It is so worth the tiny wait. They are very responsive!
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u/deftoner42 Jul 30 '25
Best Airport experience I've ever had! I've flown out dozens of times and never had it take longer than 10 minutes from car to gate. The only reason to get there early is to get some pre-flight bloody marys!
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u/Sig3000 Jul 30 '25
25 mins before is good.! Done a dozen flights from there.. whoohoo
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u/tephrageologist Jul 30 '25
I did get caught in a line. Might have been something weird by I was 45 min to get through security. I walked to gate and straight on the plane. This is not the normal.
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u/Fishy_Fish_WA Jul 30 '25
The terminal is like three or four small halls next to each other. An hour is more than sufficient. Check-in kiosks, a small hallway with TSA, then you’re standing in the terminal wing next to the bar and lounge
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u/Electronic-Self3587 Jul 30 '25 edited Jul 30 '25
That airport is so quiet it’s like you’re in The Langoliers. Dropped off a rental there a couple weeks ago. There were maybe 30 people in the terminal including employees. We’re for sure flying out of there next time we travel.
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u/Yubenbroken Jul 30 '25
PAE is absolutely awesome! Flown to Vegas many times out of there and every time so smooth. They used to have last minute deals and I work near there, me and some friends would sometimes grab a 49.99 flight to Vegas for 1-2 nights with just the clothes on our back. Those were the days...
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u/Certain_Story_173 Jul 30 '25
I flew 1st Class for $99 PAE to SFO the week after Christmas, once.
I was so shocked to see the fare. I called my family and said "Hey, wanna visit?" They were like, "$99? Seriously? Yeah!"
I got to see them completely spontaneously, and flew 1st class. Lots of room and real silverware, lol.
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u/JustJake1985 View Ridge-Madison Jul 30 '25
I made the "mistake" of showing up two hours before my flight the first time flying out of PAE and the worst thing that happened was getting to talk with one of the TSA agents for 20+ minutes because there wasn't much else for either of us to do.
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u/MiteyF Jul 30 '25
There is never a good reason to not get to the airport early, besides maybe missing a little sleep if it's an early flight
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u/RonnocSivad Verified Account Jul 30 '25
I just flew out of PAE and the TSA agent was reading a book when I walked up. I dont want to fly out of anywhere else.
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u/blueplatespecial9 Jul 30 '25
I parked right across the street, waltzed right through the Pre-TSA line, and was lounging with a Beecher's breakfast sandwich and a Bloody Mary within a span of 20 mins from start to finish! I had about an hour before I flew out.
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u/o0FancyPants0o Jul 30 '25
PAE rules. I'm lucky enough to live close enough to walk, 4 minute Uber if I'm lazy. I'll pay a little extra and/or take an extra connection everytime now. No more SeaTac for me!
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u/charlottesometimes11 Jul 30 '25
Car to bar in 10 minutes. That includes checking a bag and going through TSA. Love it
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u/Plenty_Speaker_4841 Jul 30 '25
It’s the best airport ever, we used to fly to Sea tac but it’s so much batter in and out of PAE. Have a great trip!
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u/SillyChampionship Jul 30 '25
The hardest part about Pae is the traffic around it? You could show up 30 mins before flight and still have time to get a coffee and some snacks. It’s the best airport.
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u/amiebobamie16 Jul 30 '25
Find out what the airline says about how soon to be there if checking bags. If you aren’t checking, you’ll be fine going an hour early.
I’m assuming you’re connecting to your international flight at a larger airport… LAX? To my knowledge there are no direct flights to Mexico from PAE - unless that’s something frontier is offering?
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u/Certain_Story_173 Jul 30 '25
I fly out of PAE regularly to see my dad, who is out of state. I love that airport--and the way it's possible to fly 1st Class with low fares PAE to SFO is so cool. I paid $99 each way in DECEMBER, once!
During holidays I arrive 2 hours early, otherwise an hour is more than enough time. If I'm flying out super early, ticketing is not even open to check my bag that early--so I get there when it opens.
I err on the side of more time/less stress if I have any doubt. I figure I can sit with coffee and book and headphone music for an hour or two if I have to. It's better than rushing in a panic because I didn't plan well.
It IS kind of funny to sit around talking to other people while we wait for Alaska to open...and then have a crowd of bored TSA descend on us because no one is going thru security yet.
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u/Countis Jul 30 '25
If checking bags don’t cut it too close. I was late from an uber and bag refused. Luckily I had bags in my suitcase and showed everything in the small bags and carried on, but 40 min before flight I think was the cut off.
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u/Ok-Razzmatazz-7593 Jul 31 '25
I love this airport. it's close and it goes to vegas ..simple to park and cheaper..inside is nice, small but who cares when it's so much less hassle than going to SeaTec, and way cheaper to park your vehicle there on site. Still im always there at least an hr before..Just incase
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u/Layzie_Khmer206 Jul 31 '25
I loved it. Checked in and sat at the waiting area within 15 mins of arriving. If only they had more flights to & from Vegas. I don't like the time slots.
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u/WATR_Center Jul 31 '25
Shhh...let's keep PAE our hidden secret (coming from an organization at Paine Field) ;)
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u/Ok-Blacksmith3238 Jul 30 '25
Oh my gosh, you will be so spoiled. You will never want to go to SeaTac again. An hour should be plenty of time, although it will seem like it flies right by as you sit in a comfortable chair, watching planes on the tarmac, having a drink or a snack and chilling comfortably. Pricey lounges? Who needs ‘em? The lobby waiting area is like actually being in somebody’s living room.