Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base
Seattle, United States
Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base
Seattle's scenic seaplane base on Lake Union.
- ›Located on the south shore of Lake Union in central Seattle.
- ›Serves as Kenmore Air's downtown Seattle terminal for floatplane operations.
- ›Offers scheduled service to the San Juan Islands and Victoria, British Columbia.
- ›Uses the IATA code LKE and FAA identifier W55.
- ›One of the few active commercial seaplane bases in a major U.S. city.
Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base, designated LKE, operates on the southern shore of Lake Union in the heart of Seattle, Washington. It serves as the primary hub for Kenmore Air, one of the largest scheduled seaplane operators in North America, connecting Seattle to the San Juan Islands, Victoria, BC, and remote Pacific Northwest destinations. The base has been a fixture of Seattle's waterfront aviation culture since Kenmore Air's founding in 1946.
- Kenmore Air Lake Union Terminal — A compact, single-building waterfront terminal handling ticketing, check-in, and departure for scheduled and charter seaplane flights.
- Ride-share services (Uber/Lyft) available curbside on Westlake Avenue N
- Taxi pickup accessible near the terminal entrance
- City of Seattle Metro Bus routes along Westlake Avenue N
- Bicycle access via the Burke-Gilman and Lake Union trail network
- Limited on-site and nearby street parking
- Silver Cloud Hotel – Lake Union
- Hyatt House Seattle/Redmond
- Kimpton Hotel Vintage Seattle
- The Maxwell Hotel – A Staypineapple Hotel
- Courtyard by Marriott Seattle Downtown/Lake Union
The terminal itself has minimal food service, but the South Lake Union neighborhood surrounding LKE offers a vibrant dining scene within a short walk, including waterfront cafes, seafood restaurants, and coffee shops. Iconic Seattle spots along Westlake Avenue and Eastlake Avenue provide ample pre-flight options for passengers.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled seaplane departure as boarding procedures differ significantly from conventional airports.
- Baggage allowances on seaplanes are strictly limited by weight; contact Kenmore Air in advance if you are carrying sporting gear or oversized items.
- Dress in layers — lake and island weather can change quickly, and seaplane cabins may feel cool during flight.
- The Lake Union base offers stunning views of the Seattle skyline during takeoff and landing — request a window seat when booking.
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Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base, or Seattle Lake Union Seaplane Base, is a seaplane base and international airport on Lake Union, Washington, U.S., 1 nautical mile north of Downtown Seattle.
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