It may have been overshadowed in the past by some of its louder and flashier neighbours, but it seems Australians – particularly Queenslanders – are finally waking up to Seattle.
The city’s relaxed charm and revered culture – which over the years has spawned everything from Starbucks to ‘grunge’ – is now drawing record numbers of Aussie visitors. And that growth has caught the eye of Visit Seattle, which this month hosted 70 top travel agents at a caffeine-themed gathering at stylish Brisbane café, Industry Beans Newstead.
Guests arriving at the gathering – sponsored by Air Canada and Brisbane Airport – were greeted with Espresso Martinis, while a handful were also treated to a pre-event coffee tasting experience. If that wasn’t enough to ensure everyone was wide awake, agents had the chance to win Air Canada tickets for two to Seattle, along with five nights‘ accommodation, a Seattle CityPASS and a day tour to Mt Rainier National Park courtesy of Evergreen Escapes.
Seattle has long enjoyed a reputation as the coolest place in the US Pacific Northwest, with visitors exploring the famous Pike Place markets, sipping coffee at the world’s first Starbucks, and climbing its famed Space Needle. The city is also a major cruise hub, particularly for Alaska-bound voyages, and this year an estimated 1.7 million passengers are expected set to sail from its centrally located cruise terminals.
The fact that the ‘Emerald City’ is surrounded by three of the US’ most spectacular national parks – North Cascades, Mount Rainier, and Olympic – has also helped bolster the region’s appeal to Australian visitors.
But Seattle’s increasing popularity can also be ascribed in large part to the efforts of Air Canada, which in partnership Brisbane Airport has worked hard to develop Vancouver as a North American gateway for the Queensland market.
Since 2016 the airline has offered non-stop flights from Brisbane to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), from where passengers can board US services without needing to re-check bags or change terminals. America-bound passengers also pass through US Customs at YVR, ensuring a quick exit once they arrive in their final US destination.
Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Air Canada’s Vancouver-Seatle flight takes around one hour and the total flight time from Brisbane is just over 17 hours* (including a two-hour layover in YVR) – making it the fastest way for Australians to reach the city.
During the 2023/24 northern winter, the airline introduced B777-300ER aircraft on its Brisbane-Vancouver service, increasing the total number of seats available by more than 30%.
Air Canada General Manager Australia Vic Naughton says Seattle was a major beneficiary of the capacity injection.
“It has taken a while for Seattle to really register with Australians,” says Naughton. “But in 2023 we carried double the number of Queensland passengers to the city than we did in 2022. As a result, it is now one of Air Canada’s top five US destinations from Australia, and we are anticipating ongoing growth.”
For its part, Seattle is determined to build on its new-found profile in the Australian market by participating in Brand USA events and taking part in key conferences such as CLIA Australasia’s annual Cruise 360. Travel agents can also subscribe to the organisation’s quarterly newsletter and take advantage of its dedicated online Resources Platform.
For its part, Seattle is determined to build on its new-found profile in the Australian market by participating in Brand USA events and taking part in key conferences such as CLIA Australasia’s annual Cruise 360. Travel agents can also subscribe to the organisation’s quarterly newsletter and take advantage of its dedicated online Resources Platform.
Air Canada’s Brisbane service arrives departs Brisbane at 10:00 and arrives in Sattle at 10:05 – this includes a 2-hour 15-minute layover in Vancouver.
