The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
WestJet Captain Calls Out Seattle Airport After 737 Burns 800 Lbs Of Fuel Just To Reach The Runway
Long taxi times at Seattle forced a WestJet crew to request extra fuel and endure costly delays before takeoff.
A WestJet captain vented frustration over ground delays at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) after the aircraft burned as much as 800 pounds (362 kg) of fuel while awaiting takeoff.
The event occurred on Thursday, October 8, during a flight from Seattle to Calgary International Airport (YYC). The aircraft spent more than 30 minutes taxiing before it could reach the runway.
The report notes the cause of the tension as ground delays at SEA, one of the United States’ busiest airports, which impacted the departure sequence for the Calgary-bound flight.
No injuries, aircraft details, or specific operational outcomes are provided in the material beyond the stated fuel burn and taxi time. The information focuses on the pilot’s expression of frustration and the extended taxi period.
Additional context identifies the pilot as someone with 14 years of experience in travel, airports, aviation, and travel consulting, though this detail does not alter the reported event.