Seattle On TVC Radar | The Ticker

Cherry Capital Airport could soon add the Emerald City to its departure boards, marking another major step in connecting northern Michigan directly to the West Coast.

Airport officials spoke with representatives of Alaska Airlines on Oct. 5 about establishing direct flight service between Traverse City and Seattle, according to a report by traverseticker.com. The discussion follows a federal grant award aimed at securing direct flights from TVC to Los Angeles or San Francisco, signaling a concerted push by airport leadership to bridge the geographic gap between northern Michigan and the Pacific.

Code-Sharing Trends Drive Seattle Talks

During a Zoom call between airport leadership and airline representatives, the conversation centered on strong market data. Airport CEO Kevin Klein noted that Alaska Airlines has tracked an upward trend in code-sharing activity linking Seattle with Traverse City through American Airlines flights connecting via Chicago.

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“(Seattle is) a Top 10 market for us that’s currently connecting through different hubs,” Klein said. “It would also bring another strong carrier to us.”

For passengers, an Alaska Airlines route to its home hub in Seattle would unlock broader itineraries. Klein pointed out that the connection would enhance local access to destinations across Asia, as well as Hawaii, following Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines two years ago.

The Economic Reality of New Routes

While the prospect of flying directly to the Pacific Northwest appeals to regional travelers, airport officials emphasize a measured approach. Securing new airline agreements requires years of cultivation, particularly as commercial carriers navigate an uncertain economic climate marked by elevated fuel costs.

“These types of things take time and cultivation—the industry is a little more cautious right now,” Klein said, adding that the airline initiating contact remains an encouraging indicator.

This dialogue runs parallel to concrete steps already taken toward West Coast service. The Northwest Regional Airport Authority Board approved a $750,000 federal air service grant to establish seasonal flights from Traverse City to either Los Angeles or San Francisco via United Airlines. Initially reported by traverseticker.com on Sept. 24, these federal funds are designed to underwrite initial start-up expenses for carriers launching routes in smaller communities.

Financial backing for the United initiative spans multiple local entities. Traverse City Tourism has pledged $100,000 toward marketing the service, Traverse Connect has committed $10,000, and the airport plans to contribute up to $100,000 from its operating budget. No formal timeline has been announced for the launch of that service, though the federal grant agreement spans a three-year window.