Final AE 2026 SEA Updates w/ Event Guide!

We have docked up to the gate for Aviation Expo 2026, and your arrival / gate information is below, including complimentary hotel shuttle instructions! Be sure to read this entire update and check out our Event Guide, as it will likely answer many questions you may have.

The Museum of Flight and Kenmore Air tours are a few spots away from selling out all of our tours! If you still want to join one of the final available tours, now is the time to book.

If you have any questions, click here to email us. If you do not have a hotel reservation and want to use our special Aviation Expo room rate, please email us and we will do our best to get you the special rate. Also, be sure to pack a light jacket as some low 50°F temperatures are in the forecast.Todd Michaels’ Friday seminar time has changed to 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM.

If you bought a one-day registration, it is only good for use on either Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. The Marketplace is NOT open on Wednesday.

Click here to register for AE 2026 SEA!

Click here to book Pizza Party, Boeing Luncheon, and collector items!

Click here to view the Aviation Expo 2026 SEA schedule.

Click here to view the Aviation Expo 2026 SEA speaker lineup.

AE 2026 SEA Schedule Information:

We recommend all attendees review the full AE 2026 SEA attendee schedule on our website before arriving. Be sure to bookmark the attendee schedule page so you can quickly reference marketplace hours, speaker sessions, tour times, etc. throughout the week.
Click here to view the Aviation Expo 2026 SEA attendee schedule.

Hotel Shuttle, Parking & Where to Go:

Click here to save this hotel shuttle guide for when you arrive at SeaTac.
Aviation Expo 2026 SEA will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport, located at 18740 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98188.

The complimentary hotel shuttle runs every 15–20 minutes from SEA Airport to the hotel, and the hotel shuttle picks up guests at ground transportation locations “1C” and “3A” on the hotel shuttle islands. The hotel’s phone number is (206) 246-8600.

Attendees driving to the show can pull a parking ticket and park in any of the hotel’s parking lots. Discounted AE parking passes will be available at the AE registration desk. Our hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport, is not to be confused with the DoubleTree Suites located north of our hotel.

Step 1: Exit the secure area & follow signage to ground transportation

Step 2: Cross one of the six Skybridges to ground transportation islands “1C” or “3A”

Under the garage, these two arrows point to “1C” & “3A”

Step 3: Look for this shuttle, the DoubleTree by Hilton with the cookie on the side at “1C” or “3A”

If you like to exercise, you can even walk to the hotel!

There are multiple food / drink options across the street as well:

Registration Desk / Badge Pickup:

All attendees can check in at the Aviation Expo registration desk upon arrival. You’ll receive your badge / wristband, event materials, parking passes, etc. The registration desk will be located in the grand foyer outside of the ballroom.

Your badge / wristband will be required for marketplace access, speaker sessions, and Aviation Expo events during the week. Be sure to have government-issued photo ID for any applicable tours.

Registration desk hours:

Wednesday, July 8: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday, July 9: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday, July 10: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday, July 11: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

2026 SEA Marketplace Hours:

Thursday, July 9: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (4-day attendee early access)

Thursday, July 9: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (daily admission access)

Friday, July 10: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (all attendees)

Saturday, July 11: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (all attendees)

Marketplace payment options will vary. Some exhibitors may only accept cash, while others will take credit/debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, or cash. There is an ATM at the hotel. We recommend bringing multiple payment methods so you are ready for the marketplace.

Marketplace access for exhibitors is on Thursday from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and Friday / Saturday from 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.

AE 2026 SEA Attendee Calendars:

We are excited to share that we’ll have personalized calendars for all AE 2026 SEA attendees! You’ll be able to grab yours when you check in at the registration desk. This great idea will be helpful to visualize and plan your week.

What to Bring to AE 2026 SEA:

We recommend bringing your registration confirmation, government-issued photo ID, closed-toe shoes for tours, camera / phone, and multiple payment methods for exhibitors to ensure your AE 2026 SEA experience is enjoyable.

Parking Information:

Parking is $13 a day, a discount from the normal $33 a day. Discounted parking passes will be available at the Aviation Expo registration desk. When arriving at the show, please pull a ticket and park in the hotel’s main parking lot. Directional signage will be in the hotel lobby.

Tour Check-In / Important Tour Reminders:

If you are participating in any AE 2026 SEA tours, please review your tour selections, departure times, and tour rules before arriving. Tour participants should arrive at the designated tour meeting location early. We recommend arriving 15–20 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Tour check-in / departures will be across from the registration desk in the grand foyer. If you have tight tour connections, don’t worry; we will ensure you don’t miss your next tour. All you’ll need is your ID for each tour, so don’t worry about having your badge if you’re running behind.

Many tours require a government-issued photo ID, and some tours have strict security, photography, luggage, food, and drink restrictions. Please follow all tour host instructions. Please respect other tour participants and bring as little as possible.

Friday Night Pizza / Plane Spotting Party:

We’re excited to announce another fun community event for Aviation Expo 2026 SEA! Join us on Friday night, July 10, from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM for our 14th-floor Friday Night Pizza Party, sponsored by Airways Magazine.

This event is just $15 in advance / $20 day of show and includes 3 slices of pizza. With floor-to-ceiling airport views, great company, and plenty of avgeek conversation, this will be one of the coolest events of the weekend!

During this event, we’ll have a plane spotting photo presentation! Attendees will be able to submit up to 3 of their own plane spotting photos to be shown during the presentation.

Luncheon Speaker – Anna Italiano from Boeing:

We are excited to announce Anna Italiano as our AE 2026 SEA luncheon speaker! Anna is a Corporate Historian with The Boeing Company in their archive department. The luncheon will be on Friday from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM in the 14th-floor Maxis ballroom.

Her presentation is titled “From the Golden Age to the Jet Age: Boeing’s impact on commercial aviation.” This presentation will cover how Boeing has influenced commercial aviation from the early years of business to the 747. She will discuss how Boeing innovations and concepts paved the way for the commercial aviation industry of today. The luncheon is available for $25 and will include poster giveaways for attendees.

AE 2026 SEA Speaker Schedule:

We have 8 awesome speakers scheduled for AE 2026 SEA! From airport diorama building and diecast industry insights to aviation content creation and career pathways, there will be aviation topics for everyone to enjoy.
Click here to view the full AE 2026 SEA speaker schedule, session details, and speaker information on our website.
Speaker sessions will be located in Northwest Ballroom #1.

With the vibrant marketplace, speaker sessions, tours, and the Friday Night Pizza Party and evening spotting event, there will be excitement happening throughout Aviation Expo 2026 SEA.

Share & Win a $50 Marketplace Voucher:

Throughout the show, be sure to post your photos and videos from AE 2026 SEA and tag Aviation Expo on social media. Each day, we’ll be giving away a $50 marketplace voucher to one attendee who helps share the show online.

Come to the registration desk each day to sign up for the drawing. Whether you’re posting tour photos, marketplace finds, speaker sessions, spotting views, or your favorite moments with friends, we’d love to see and share your AE experience. Help us show everyone what Aviation Expo is all about!

AE 2026 SEA Trading Cards / Bag Tags / Custom Boarding Passes are all now available to collect:

AE 2026 SEA will feature an exciting lineup of collectible memorabilia, including logo flight bags and wings, exclusive trading cards, custom bag tags, and custom boarding passes! These limited-edition collectibles are available to purchase through our registration portal. Attendees will also be able to purchase these items during the show as supplies last.

Questions During the Event:

If you have questions before the show, please contact us at info@aviationexpo.org. During the event, the Aviation Expo registration desk will be your go-to place for attendee assistance. Be looking out for AE 2026 SEA volunteers in their logoed shirts.

Thank you again for your support of Aviation Expo 2026 SEA. We are excited to welcome everyone to Seattle for an awesome week of aviation, model aircraft, tours, the AE marketplace, speakers, and spotting!

Sincerely,

Your Aviation Expo 2026 SEA Team

Steve Cosgrove, Chris Slimmer, & Connor McCauley