“Fly safe, talk to you soon,” says Jason Douglas, owner of San Juan Airlines, into his green headset as he lands his plane at the Friday Harbor Airport, passing another plane about to take off. It’s the very same airport the founder of San Juan Airlines, Roy Franklin, built years ago.
Photograph by Briana Tuvey
On an early spring morning in March, as stick season comes to an end and the first blooms appear, a refurbished 1960s plane rolls down the Bellingham Airport runway, en route to explore the splendor of the San Juan Islands.
Photograph by Ava Boorn
The San Juans, located in the northern part of Puget Sound, claim a different kind of magic. From islands still blanketed in snow to the various lighthouses nestled against the rocky shores and wildlife of the sea, sky, and land gracing the landscape, each tour is bound to be different—and full of views you can’t get anywhere else.
In 2017, Douglas’s three decades of recreational passion for piloting culminated in what he describes as a momentary lapse of reason: purchasing San Juan Airlines and taking his passion for flying into a profitable adventure for all those without a fear of heights.
“When you charter an airplane, it’s kind of like getting an Uber. They don’t ask you how many people; they ask if you want an Uber or an Uber XL,” says Douglas.
The airline has two sizes of planes: one that fits three passengers with baggage, or one that fits five passengers with baggage.
The San Juan Islands mesmerize people from all over the world. The scenery in the clouds is unsurpassable as flat maps are brought to life. People are wooed by the unforgettable beauty of the Salish Sea, and being up in the air bestows upon viewers a whole new story.
Photograph by Briana Tuvey
“We’ve got the island tour, we do the [Mount] Baker tour, and then whatever you want to do. I mean, we’ve had people that wanna go see parts of Canada, we’ve had people that want to do Baker and the Islands at the same time, people that have asked for special tour requests on their way down to Seattle to go to the airport or whatever it happens to be… You just tell us what you want to do,” says Douglas.
It’s a story that Douglas’s fleet of sky ferries provides to the residents of the islands every day. Patrons wishing to experience just an ounce of nature’s magic are in excellent hands when taking to the sky with the experienced pilots of San Juan Airlines.
Douglas has had his pilot’s license for 32 years and an interest in flying since he was a kid. He even owns his plane, which he uses for recreation as well as his commute to Bellingham airport from his home on the islands. Airplanes are a labor of love, expresses Douglas, like owning a classic car.
“I think it’s an experience that a lot of people never get a chance to see or do, and it’s unique. We got a small family environment [where you’re] able to get in a small airplane and actually talk to your pilot and not just sit in the back,” Douglas says.
Photograph by Ava Boorn
More ways to see the region from above
Go down south to Snohomish Balloon Ride and pop into one of their many hot air balloons for an epic view from the sky. These nine-story balloons are great for celebrations, proposals, or just to check it off your bucket list. You can choose a private ride or a shared one, which includes 2-10 passengers. Go for sunset, sunrise, or personalize your own ride to fit your needs. If you aren’t a fan of flying or just want something more active, there are many scenic hikes in and around Whatcom County.
Get a great view of Mount Baker with the Heliotrope Trail. This 5.5-mile round-trip trail will take you up 1,400 feet in elevation bringing you great views of the cascades. It’s a great hike for those looking for a challenge.
Another great trail is the Oyster Dome. Starting from the Samish Overlook, this hike gains 1,050 feet in elevation over the 5-mile round-trip trail. After traveling through the forest, you will emerge to see a beautiful view of the surrounding areas.
Take a trip to the Sehome Arboretum. This area contains six miles of trails with an elevation gain of 325 feet. Whether you want to use the short path or take your time with longer trails, the observation tower will give you beautiful views of Bellingham Bay and the surrounding mountains.
