Smoking at Seattle Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base – LKE

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By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

Yes, you can smoke at Kenmore Air’s Lake Union Seaplane Terminal (LKE) in Seattle outdoors, on the open waterfront and at least 25 feet from the doors. This is a small floatplane terminal on the South Lake Union waterfront, not a conventional airport — and that changes how a smoke break works.

Outside the Terminal

The terminal is a compact waterfront building on the south shore of Lake Union (opened in 1993, in the shadow of the Space Needle) where you board directly off the dock onto the floatplane — Kenmore Air’s de Havilland Beavers and Otters. Scheduled flights run to the San Juan Islands (Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Eastsound and Deer Harbor on Orcas, and Lopez) and to Victoria’s Inner Harbour in British Columbia. Smoking inside the building is not allowed, so step outside to the open waterfront area. Keep well away from the entrance doors, any windows that open, and the boarding dock where passengers gather.

Unlike a major airport, there is no TSA security checkpoint for these seaplane flights, so there is nothing to re-clear — you can step out and back in freely before boarding. Plan to arrive around 30 minutes before a domestic departure (more for international Victoria flights) and have your smoke before check-in or boarding.

Washington State Rules

Washington’s Smoking in Public Places Act bans smoking in all enclosed public places and additionally requires you to stay at least 25 feet from entrances, opening windows, and ventilation intakes of any no-smoking building. Stand back from the terminal accordingly. Vaping is treated the same way: outdoors only, 25 feet from the building.

Summary

AreaSmokingNotes
Terminal building (indoors)NoSmoke-free under Washington law
Boarding dockNoKeep clear of waiting passengers
Outdoor waterfrontYes25 ft from doors, windows, vents
Security checkpointNoneNo TSA screening for seaplane flights

For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke at the Kenmore Air Lake Union Seaplane Terminal (LKE)?

Yes, outdoors only. The small waterfront terminal is smoke-free inside, so step outside and stay at least 25 feet from the doors, windows, and the boarding dock to smoke.

Do I need to clear security to smoke at the Lake Union seaplane base?

No. Seaplane flights here do not go through a TSA checkpoint, so there is no secure area to exit or re-clear. You simply step outside the terminal to smoke.

Is there an indoor smoking area at the Lake Union seaplane terminal?

No. The terminal building is smoke-free indoors under Washington’s Smoking in Public Places Act. Smoking is permitted outdoors only, away from the building.

Can I vape at the Kenmore Air Lake Union terminal (LKE)?

Yes — treat vaping like smoking and keep it outdoors, at least 25 feet from the doors, windows, and dock. Vaping is not permitted inside the terminal.