Frontier Airlines will discontinue its flights from Paine Field Airport (PAE) in Everett, Washington, in early January 2026, ending the service just seven months after it began. The carrier’s official website indicates that all flights from PAE will end on January 5, 2026. The news was first reported by HeraldNet.

Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines is expanding its presence at Paine Field by adding a new nonstop route to Portland International Airport (PDX). The additional route is part of Alaska Airlines’ broader network expansion at its hubs in PDX and Anchorage (ANC).

Paine Field To Lose Frontier Airlines

In early January 2026, Paine Field Airport is set to lose one of the very few airlines operating there, as Frontier Airlines will discontinue service after seven months. The low-cost carrier will end its twice-weekly flights from PAE to Denver International Airport (DEN), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. The final flights on these routes will operate on January 5, 2026.

The A320 family operator debuted at PAE on June 2, 2025, with twice-weekly service on all three routes. The service was launched to expand travel options for consumers in the greater Seattle area. These three PAE routes complemented Frontier’s seven routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

While the exact reason for the discontinuation has not been disclosed, the most likely factors include insufficient demand and weak load factors, along with competitive pressure from SEA, which offers a broader network and higher flight frequencies. Simple Flying has asked Frontier Airlines for comment.

Alaska Airlines Consolidates Its Position At Paine Field

With Frontier soon exiting Paine Field, Alaska Airlines is set to dominate the airport as the sole carrier offering scheduled service. Frontier’s exit means that the only route that will be lost entirely is Denver, as Frontier’s other two destinations, namely Phoenix and Las Vegas, are also served by Alaska Airlines.

At present, Alaska Airlines operates nonstop flights to eight cities, primarily across the West Coast and select sun destinations. These destinations include Honolulu (HNL), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Orange County (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN), and San Francisco (SFO).

Beginning June 2026, the carrier will add a ninth route connecting PAE and Portland (PDX). Currently, the longest route from PAE is to HNL, covering a distance of 2,341 nautical miles (4,335 km). The shortest route, once launched, will be to PDX at just 140 nautical miles (259 km).

The map above illustrates the route network from PAE. Routes shown in green represent current services, those in red indicate upcoming routes, and the route shown in black represents the route that will be fully removed from PAE.

Paine Field Recognized As One Of The Top Five Airports In The US

Everett Paine Field earned national recognition in 2025, placing fifth on The Washington Post’s ranking of the 50 Best Airports in America. The evaluation drew from a review of more than 450 US airports, incorporating airport performance metrics alongside Yelp scores and reader reviews. Paine Field joined an elite group that included Portland International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DAC), and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International (MSP).

The airport stood out for its mix of convenience and comfort. Valet parking, a lounge-style terminal, boutique dining options, and quick check-in and security helped make the travel experience smooth and efficient. The modern terminal features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, fireplaces, glass jet bridges, and tables with fresh flowers, supporting Paine Field’s reputation as a premium and low-stress airport.

Since launching commercial service in 2019, Paine Field has handled more than 3.4 million passengers. It has also become an important economic driver for the region, according to Propeller Airports, the operator of Paine Field’s passenger terminal.