Welcome Alaska Airlines to Renton

The City of Renton is excited to welcome Alaska Airlines to Renton as they opened their new training facility earlier this month.  

With our long history in aerospace, not only in Renton but specifically near the Longacres area where Boeing operated for many years, it’s fitting that Alaska’s new training facility has chosen Renton as its home.

The new facility 

This 660,000-square-foot training center is located on a 19-acre property near Longacres, at 1301 SW 16th St. neighboring our friends at the Seattle Sounders.   

This state-of-the-art facility will train thousands of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines employees, learning to be flight attendants, pilots, and customer service agents. Included in the facility is a 737-cabin simulator to help flight attendants practice fitting oxygen masks on each other, simulate a crash landing, and train on scenarios like luggage catching on fire. Pilots can use the flight simulator to practice both short- and long-haul flights on Alaska’s current routes.

Training previously was spread across five buildings in SeaTac. 

Where opportunity takes flight 

Renton continues to solidify its reputation as a premier hub for business and innovation, consistently attracting organizations with lasting legacies looking to establish strong foundations, such as the Seattle Sounders, Wizards of the Coast, and Providence. This new addition is a valuable asset to the city, further strengthening our workforce and stimulating economic growth,” said Gina Estep, City of Renton Community and Economic Development Administrator.  

“Alaska Airlines is one of the critical employers in the Northwest, with over 30,000 employees, and we’re honored to have Renton be the primary training destination for their staff.  We’ve seen the Seattle Sounders headquarters take up residence at the redeveloped Longacres site, and along with the Alaska Airlines training facility, we look forward to the addition of more major employers, housing, retail, and entertainment to the neighborhood,” said Mayor Armondo Pavone.  

With the new transit center coming to Renton in 2028 and long-term planning underway for the Longacres area, this space will continue to grow and evolve best to serve the needs of both our workforce and residents.