Anacortes, San Juans, and Beyond: San Juan Airlines Tenant Spotlight
March 30, 2026 | News
Originally named Island Sky Ferries, San Juan Airlines (SJA) was founded in Friday Harbor over 75 years ago by Roy Franklin with the goal of providing people with alternative access to the San Juan Islands. Since then, the company has changed names, ownership, and headquarters a few times, but its core mission remains the same: connecting islanders and mainlanders to transportation, goods, and essential services.
With a fleet of seven aircraft, SJA offers three services for passengers — scheduled flights, chartered flights, and tours — and offers non-contract, same-day freight services to the islands. The company currently operates one of its four offices from the Anacortes Airport, with the remaining three offices in Bellingham, Friday Harbor, and Orcas Island. The Anacortes location served as the company’s headquarters for many years, and although the headquarters has since moved to Bellingham to meet growing client demand, the Anacortes office still processes the majority of packages that are flown to the islands. Across its service territory, the company supports between 20 and 24 family-wage jobs throughout the year.
Between its service lines and locations, company is a critical part of the network that moves people and goods throughout the San Juan Islands and beyond, supporting both the regional economy and quality of life.
Speed, access, and regional reach
SJA has no direct competitors in local aviation, and although it could be said the airline competes with the state’s San Juan ferry system, the two ultimately complement each other by serving different needs and clientele. Where ferries offer a more leisurely, on-water experience, an SJA flight takes a direct overhead route in a fraction of the time. For example, a flight from Friday Harbor to Anacortes takes just 10 minutes, while a ferry ride takes an hour and a half on average (excluding time spent waiting in line for the ferry).
SJA also connects passengers to a wide range of mainland destinations, including Anacortes, Eastern Washington, British Columbia, Oregon, and Idaho. That speed and reach make SJA a lifeline for professionals who serve island residents — medical specialists, tradespeople, and others for whom ferry travel could consume most of a workday. By reducing travel time, SJA enables these professionals to spend more of their time doing what they came to do, and ensures island residents get the most out of every visit.
A unique passenger experience
What makes them special? The experience. Many of the company’s clients are “frequent flyers,” and in small aircraft like theirs (the largest seats six passengers) you’re never far away from a view or your pilot. “Every seat is a window seat,” says Jason Douglass, when asked what sets San Juan Airlines apart. “Not only do you get to see our home from a low-flying, birds-eye-view perspective, but you get to learn about it from a local pilot who is typically sitting directly beside you or in front of you.” This proximity and perspective help clients build relationships with pilots and deepen their connection to the region.
Anacortes has long been known as the gateway to the San Juans. With San Juan Airlines, it’s a gateway to so much more. Whether transporting an elderly resident to a mainland medical appointment, flying an electrician out to Orcas for a day’s work, or taking a family on an unforgettable tour of the islands, SJA offers every passenger an experience that shapes their perspective of this remarkable place — whether they’re visiting for the first time or calling it home. Their services are a central part of our Port of Anacortes Airport and the communities it supports.