The Pacific Northwest isn’t just keeping up with airfreight growth; it’s changing how carriers think about transpacific routes. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) posted its second-highest annual cargo tonnage on record in 2024, handling 460,062 metric tonnes, up 10.3 percent year-over-year. That’s not a temporary bump. That’s a long-term shift driven by high-value exports, expanding transpacific links and decisions carriers make that increasingly treat SEA as more than just another West Coast option.
For airline network planners, the math adds up. Seattle sits closer to Asia than Los Angeles or San Francisco, cutting flight times and creating scheduling flexibility that matters when margins are tight. The region ships aerospace components, electronics and tech goods that command premium freight rates. It’s also home to logistics infrastructure built around industry giants Boeing, Microsoft and Amazon. When carriers need density, yield and geographic efficiency from a single gateway, Seattle checks the boxes.
High-value exports
The Pacific Northwest’s export mix sets it apart from other gateways. Aircraft, spacecraft and related parts remain the region’s top export category, reflecting Boeing’s manufacturing presence and the broader aerospace supply chain around Seattle. Greater Seattle’s aerospace industry generated US$37.1 billion in gross regional product in 2024, with more than 114,000 employees and US$64 billion in exports over the past five years.
Beyond aerospace, the region’s export mix includes electric machinery, industrial machinery and tech products. These are goods that need reliable, time-sensitive airfreight networks. Greater Seattle’s total trade hit US$114.46 billion in 2024, up 5.9 percent. Aircraft and spacecraft led exports at US$40.42 billion, while China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan ranked as the top trading partners.
This gives SEA a leg up. High-value manufactured goods generate better yields per kilogramme than bulk commodities, and time-sensitivity creates demand for dedicated freighter services and priority belly space. For carriers building transpacific networks, this means big revenue opportunities that justify adding frequency and capacity.
Transpacific connectivity
Carrier network decisions reflect Seattle’s growing strategic importance. Alaska Airlines, which completed its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, launched daily service between Seattle and Tokyo Narita in May 2025, followed by service to Seoul Incheon in September. The combined Alaska-Hawaiian network now reaches more than 130 cargo destinations globally, with a strong focus on Asia and the South Pacific.
Cathay Pacific announced it will restart nonstop flights between Hong Kong and Seattle starting in March 2026, making Seattle its ninth passenger destination in North America. The airline pointed to Seattle’s growing cargo operations as a key factor in the route’s strategic value, noting strong demand for capacity into the Americas.
These moves aren’t random. They signal a broader shift. Carriers are increasingly evaluating Seattle for its role in transpacific cargo flows. The airport’s Pacific Northwest location offers flight times comparable to major European cargo hubs while maintaining shorter transpacific routes than other West Coast gateways.
e-commerce
Domestic cargo’s 13.1 percent growth reflects ongoing strength in e-commerce and integrator operations at SEA. Amazon, headquartered in Seattle, operates a global logistics giant, and the company’s expansion into third-party logistics services has added density to the airport’s domestic network. FedEx remains the largest volume carrier at SEA, handling more than 100,000 metric tonnes annually, representing over 41 percent of the airport’s total cargo volume.
The Port of Seattle has invested immensely in infrastructure to support this growth. A US$20 million project completed in recent years expanded and upgraded freighter parking facilities on the north end of the airfield, letting the airport handle larger aircraft and more frequent operations. The port’s long-term goal is to triple annual air cargo volume to 750,000 metric tonnes, positioning itself as a premier international logistics hub.
What this means for 2026
As 2026 unfolds, Seattle’s position in transpacific air cargo networks will likely strengthen further. New service launches, expanded freighter operations and continued growth in high-value exports all point to sustained momentum. For carriers evaluating network strategies, SEA offers a combination that’s tough to replicate: proximity to Asia, a strong export base, solid domestic connectivity and infrastructure investment that supports future growth. In a sector where network decisions get made years in advance, Seattle’s trajectory suggests the Pacific pivot isn’t just a 2026 story. It’s a long-term realignment that’s already happening.
The post Seattle-Tacoma and the Pacific pivot appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
Go to Source
Author: Edward Hardy
