Aviation Expo 2026 in Seattle is a conference and expo for aviation enthusiasts, collectors, spotters, and the aviation and airline industry professionals, military personnel, and aspiring aviators, offering a dynamic experience featuring a collectibles marketplace, hands-on workshops, expert seminars, career and education opportunities, youth engagement, and exclusive tours.
- Aviation enthusiasts and AvGeeks of all ages
- Collectors of airline memorabilia, models, and artifacts
- Plane spotters and aviation photographers
- Active and retired airline and military personnel
- Families, students, and young adults interested in aviation careers
- Industry professionals and recruiters
- Aviation hobbyists, diorama builders, and active or aspiring aviation content creators
Aviation Expo Seattle will offer discounted admission to all military, retired military, airline employees, retired airline employees, employees and retirees of Boeing, and their families. More specific numbers are:
- Boeing: Boeing employs about 66,000 people in Washington state, with a large concentration in the Seattle area. This includes the Boeing Everett Production Facility, which employs more than 30,000 people.
- Alaska Airlines: 23,000 system-wide – estimated about 17,000 work in the Seattle Area.
- Delta Air Lines: Delta Air Lines employs 3,000 people in Seattle. These employees operate nearly 170 peak-day departures from Seattle to over 50 destinations worldwide, per Delta.
- SeaTac Airport: 32,000 including TSA and support personnel.
- Seattle Paine Field International Airport: Over fifty businesses operate at the airport, providing more than 30,000 jobs. The airport is also home to Boeing’s primary production facility for certain aircraft.
- Retired Airline and Boeing Employees in the SeaTac Area: 45,000 estimated
- Active Military in the Seattle Area
- Fort Lewis JB Lewis-McChord: has a total population of approximately 295,251, including active military, civilians, family members, local retirees, and retiree family members. More specifically, JBLM supports over 40,000 service members, including active duty, National Guard, and reserve members. Additionally, the base employs around 14,000 full-time civilian employees and has over 90,000 family members, veterans, and retirees.
- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island: supports approximately 9,000 military personnel, including over 500 reservists, 19,194 family members, and 2,100 civilian employees. Additionally, it supports the Canadian Forces and their families.
- Naval Station Everett: About 6,000 sailors and civilian personnel.
- Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton – approximately 15,601 active duty military personnel, 25,653 civilian employees, and 18,700 family members. In total, the base has a workforce of around 45,000 personnel.
- Retired Military living in the Seattle Area: Approximately 30,000 military retirees live within 50 miles of the Seattle area. This number includes individuals who live on and off the military bases.
- Military Veterans: Approximately 26,211 veterans live in Seattle, accounting for 4.1% of the city’s total population. King County, where Seattle is located, has 104,551 veterans. These numbers probably include retired military listed above.
These numbers do not include children or spouses (some spouses may also work for the airline or be in the military, so their numbers would be included above, but others would not). Interested in having a booth at our Aviation Marketplace? Click here to get on our email list for exhibitors. Click here to get on our email list to be notified when we open registration for Aviation Expo 2026 Seattle!