New Boeing Field VFR Routes Live for World Cup Soccer Traffic

Seattle airport implements visual arrival and departure procedures to balance safety, noise, and anticipated congestion.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, May 15, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Just in time for World Cup soccer matches and the influx in air traffic predicted in the Seattle area, the FAA has released new VFR routes for King County Airport-Boeing Field. [Credit: Museum of Flight]

Key Takeaways:

King County International Airport (KBFI) has implemented new visual flight rules (VFR) arrival and departure routes to manage anticipated increased air traffic for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Seattle.
Developed over months with the FAA and neighboring airports, these routes aim to enhance safety, mitigate noise, and balance the needs of KBFI's diverse and busy airspace users.
The new procedures include five arrivals and seven departures, with specific routes like the "Valley" arrival generating notable discussion among pilots due to their detailed requirements and airspace restrictions.

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The first FIFA World Cup match in Seattle is one month away, and aviation officials are preparing for an increase in air traffic by releasing new visual arrival and departure routes for King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KBFI) that are now in use.

The four-page PDF went live Thursday and within hours social media—and many a pilot’s cellphone—was blowing up with discussions about the new procedures. Seattle will host six World Cup matches from June 15 to July 6.