Template revised April 12, 2018.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No. 11a
BRIEFING ITEM Date of Meeting April 22, 2025
DATE: March 12, 2025
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Tom Fagerstrom, Senior Environmental Program Manager
Paris Edwards, Senior Environmental Management Specialist
SUBJECT: 2025 Fly Quiet Awards
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Each year, the Port of Seattle evaluates airlines operating at Seattle-Tacoma International
Airport (SEA) to assess their noise reduction efforts that help to limit the impact of aircraft
noise on local communities. Airlines excelling in this endeavor receive Fly Quiet Award
recognition. Today’s presentation will include an overview of the annual Fly Quiet Award
Program and 2025 Award recipients.
FLY QUIET AWARDS
Port staff developed the annual Fly Quiet awards in 2002, with input from a citizen advisory
committee, to increase airline and pilot awareness of aircraft noise impacts on local
communities. Fly Quiet was included as a continuing noise program measure in the most recent
Part 150 Noise Study update completed in 2014.
Fly Quiet recognizes airlines based on the following criteria: 1) the sound levels of their
operations using four of the Port’s noise monitors, 2) success at flying within SEA’s noise
abatement flight procedures, 3) adhering to SEA’s ground maintenance engine run-up
regulations, and 4) limiting noise levels during late-night hours at SEA. Using these scoring
criteria, two airlines are recognized as the highest achieving carriers, and a third airline is
recognized as having made a significant improvement over the previous year.
Air Canada
Top scoring Fly Quiet airline for operations in 2024.
Remarkably low takeoff noise utilizing a modern fleet of quiet Airbus A220 and Boeing
737MAX aircraft.
Fly the established Noise Abatement flight procedures at SEA very accurately.
Third consecutive year with a Fly Quiet Award.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11a Page 2 of 2
Meeting Date: April 22, 2025
Template revised September 22, 2016.
Frontier Airlines
High scoring airline with consistently lower noise levels than other domestic carriers.
Operate the quiet Airbus A320neo aircraft at SEA.
Consistently strong performer in Fly Quiet each year.
Sixth Fly Quiet Award overall
Air France
Recognized for undertaking significant improvements to their aircraft fleet in 2024.
Operate the quiet Airbus A350 aircraft at SEA
Significant commitment to updating fleet and limiting noise to local communities.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
May 14, 2024 – Announced 2024 winners of Sustainable Century and Fly Quiet Awards:
Air Canada, Frontier Airlines, Delta Air Lines
