Flying low: Exciting new ways to explore the Pacific Northwest

Flying on a seaplane is a rare travel pleasure. 

You get great views and can land exactly where you want to be - providing there is a body of water. 

Harbour Air, British Columbia's leading coastal airline, has announced its largest seasonal expansion, featuring the return of a Vancouver-Seattle service beginning next week, along with three new routes including the airline's first Victoria-Seattle service.

The expansion is in response to strong demand across the Pacific Northwest of Canada and the US, adding new connections to communities like Ucluelet - named one of Expedia's 2026 Destinations of the Year - and Campbell River, a gateway to top-notch fishing and wilderness adventures. 

And for the first time, Vancouver Island travellers will have direct cross-border seaplane service without routing through Vancouver.

"This is our biggest seasonal expansion yet, and it reflects what we're hearing from our guests and communities," said Chris Fordyce, Chief Commercial Officer for Harbour Air. 

"The Vancouver-Seattle route has been one of our strongest seasonal services, and we're thrilled to bring it back. We're also launching three new routes this summer, including our first Victoria-Seattle service, new flights to Ucluelet, and new flights to Campbell River. 

"These additions strengthen our network and give coastal B.C. travellers more ways to explore the region and beyond."

The new flight means locals, and tourists, can fly from downtown Vancouver to central Seattle in one hour. 

Twice-daily departures will connecting Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver with Lake Union in Seattle. One-way fares start from CAD$149, offering a fast alternative to driving, ferry connections and traditional airport routes. 

The journey has operated as a seasonal spring and summer service since 2018.

The inaugural Victoria-Seattle service launches on June 11, connecting Victoria's Inner Harbour with Lake Union in under an hour. 

Check out harbourair.com/everyday-low-fares for deals and see supernaturalbc.com. 

Thailand to trial seaplanes to boost tourism

Thailand is moving to emulate the Maldives and introduce seaplane services across the country to boost tourism. 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is joining forces with private operators to launch "a new era of air travel" with a seaplane project at Koh Kradan in Trang, The Nation newspaper reports.

The island will serve as a “sandbox” for testing operations before the service is expanded elsewhere. CAAT wants to begin the project this year, with Phuket under consideration as a future site.

Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, CAAT’s director, said Koh Kradan was chosen because of its favourable geography and strong support from Trang authorities, local agencies and private partners.

Phuket, while included in long-term plans, was deemed less suitable for initial trials due to harsher sea conditions.

Two licensed seaplane operators - Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane will participate in the trials.

The seaplanes are being mooted aa favourable way to transport tourists to and from some of Thailand’s lesser-known islands and connect them with other major tourism hubs.

The long-term goal is to develop seaplane routes with passenger terminals and related infrastructure.

Trans Maldivian Airways, which operates flights to many island resorts, has the world’s largest seaplane fleet, taking passengers from Velana International Airport in Malé to holiday destinations.

Image: Seaplane in the Maldives. Jaya Waskar, Scop.io