Airports in Yakima County, Washington
Yakima County, located in south-central Washington's fertile Yakima Valley, is home to a regional airport network anchored by the Yakima Air Terminal–McAllister Field (YKM/KYKM), along with several general aviation facilities serving the county's 257,000 residents across its agricultural and recreational landscapes. Positioned east of the Cascade Range, approximately 145 miles southeast of Seattle and 190 miles northeast of Portland, Yakima County depends on its airport infrastructure to connect this arid inland valley to the broader Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Yakima Air Terminal – McAllister Field (YKM)
The primary commercial airport serving Yakima County is Yakima Air Terminal–McAllister Field, situated roughly 3 miles south of downtown Yakima along the valley floor at approximately 1,000 feet elevation. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Yakima and carries IATA designator YKM and ICAO identifier KYKM. Its history stretches back to 1926, when aviation pioneer Elrey Jeppesen—later the founder of Jeppesen aviation charts—made the facility's first recorded landing. The McAllister brothers operated a flight school here during World War II, training Navy and Army Air Corps pilots, cementing the airport's role in regional aviation heritage. In 1996 the airport was officially renamed Yakima Air Terminal–McAllister Field to honor that legacy.
The terminal features two asphalt-paved runways: the primary Runway 9/27 measuring 7,604 feet by 150 feet (2,318 × 46 meters), equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) first installed in 1953, and the crosswind Runway 4/22 at 3,835 feet by 150 feet (1,169 × 46 meters). These runways accommodate regional jets and turboprop aircraft comfortably. The FAA control tower, in continuous operation since the 1949 terminal modernization, oversees daily commercial and general aviation movements.
Alaska Airlines provides scheduled nonstop service between YKM and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), covering the approximately 103-mile route in roughly 56 minutes. This SEA connection gives Yakima County travelers access to Alaska Airlines' full international and domestic network, including onward flights to Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and numerous other destinations. Charter operators including Sun Country Airlines and Xtra Airways have historically served leisure routes to destinations such as Laughlin, Nevada, and Wendover, Nevada, supplementing scheduled service during peak travel periods. Aviation-related businesses at and around the terminal support approximately 1,000 jobs in the local economy, reflecting the facility's importance beyond passenger convenience.
The McAllister Museum of Aviation, located on the airport grounds, preserves and displays the rich aviation history of the Yakima Valley. Visitors can explore historic aircraft, photographs, and artifacts documenting the evolution of flight in the region from the early barnstorming era through modern commercial aviation.
Sunnyside Municipal Airport
Located at 818 East Edison Avenue in Sunnyside, Sunnyside Municipal Airport serves the lower Yakima Valley's general aviation community. Sunnyside, situated in the heart of Washington's wine country approximately 35 miles southeast of Yakima, relies on this facility for private pilots, agricultural aviation operations, and charter access. The airport supports the region's extensive orchard and vineyard operations, where aerial application aircraft play an important seasonal role in crop management across Yakima County's world-renowned agricultural landscape.
Tieton State Airport
Tieton State Airport, located at 34582 U.S. Highway 12 in Naches near the community of Tieton, serves the western Yakima County foothills and recreation corridor leading toward White Pass and the Cascade Range. Operated as a state-managed facility, it provides a base for backcountry flying, search-and-rescue operations, and access to the outdoor recreation destinations concentrated along the Naches River corridor. The airport's position near U.S. 12 makes it a useful waypoint for pilots transiting between the eastern and western slopes of the Cascades.
West Valley Airport (48WA)
The West Valley Airport (FAA identifier 48WA) rounds out Yakima County's general aviation infrastructure as a private-use facility serving the West Valley area west of Yakima. This airstrip supports local private pilots and agricultural aviation activities in the county's western agricultural zones.
Aviation in Yakima County's Agricultural Economy
Yakima County is among the most productive agricultural counties in the United States, generating over $1.5 billion in annual agricultural output from apples, hops, wine grapes, pears, cherries, and vegetables. Aviation is deeply integrated into this economy: aerial crop-dusting and application services, refrigerated air cargo for premium fruit shipments, and business aviation connecting Yakima growers and processors with buyers in Seattle, Portland, and beyond all depend on the county's airport network. The dry, sunny climate—approximately 300 days of sunshine annually and only 8 inches of precipitation—means flying conditions are favorable for most of the year, supporting high utilization of general aviation facilities throughout the valley.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Washington Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Yakima County, Washington.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Yakima County, Washington.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 1 Municipal Airport in Yakima County, Washington.
Sunnyside Municipal Airport
Local Airports
There are 5 Local Airport in Yakima County, Washington.