You’re standing in Sea-Tac, clutching a overpriced latte, wondering if the 300-mile drive over the mountain passes would've been faster. It wouldn't. Not even close. But flying into Central Oregon has its own set of quirks that most travel blogs gloss over with generic "book early" advice.
Honestly, taking flights from seattle to redmond oregon is the ultimate Pacific Northwest "cheat code." You trade the gray drizzle of the Sound for the high-desert sunshine of the Cascades in about the time it takes to watch a single episode of a prestige TV drama.
But there’s a catch. Or a few of them.
The Reality of the "Quick" Hop
The flight itself is a breeze. We’re talking roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes of air time. By the time the flight attendants finish the snack service—usually those Biscoff cookies or a tiny bag of pretzels—you’re already descending over the jagged peaks of the Three Sisters.
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It’s a 227-mile straight shot.
If you drive, you're looking at six hours, minimum. That's assuming Snoqualmie Pass isn't a parking lot and you don't get stuck behind a semi-truck going 20 mph on Highway 97. Flying is the sane choice, but the price tag can be temperamental.
Who is actually flying this route?
Currently, the market is a bit of a duopoly. You’ve basically got Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines duking it out for your business.
- Alaska Airlines: These folks are the heavy hitters. They run about 25 flights a week. Most of these are operated by Horizon Air using the Embraer 175. It’s a great little plane because it’s a 2-2 seating configuration—meaning no middle seats.
- Delta: They usually offer about 20 weekly direct flights. Like Alaska, they often use the Embraer 175 (operated by SkyWest), so you still dodge that middle-seat nightmare.
You might see Hawaiian Airlines or American popping up in search results, but look closely. They’re usually codeshares or involve a weird layover that turns a 70-minute jump into a 5-hour odyssey. Don't do that to yourself.
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When to Pull the Trigger on Tickets
Prices for flights from seattle to redmond oregon are kinda like Oregon weather—if you don't like it, wait five minutes (or check a different day).
I’ve seen one-way tickets dip as low as $79, but that’s the "unicorn" fare. Usually, you’re looking at $119 to $150 for a round trip if you play your cards right.
The "Goldilocks" Booking Window
Data from 2026 travel trends suggests the sweet spot is about 4 weeks out. If you book three months in advance, you’re often paying a "planner's tax." If you book 6 days out, you’re paying the "business traveler penalty."
January is historically the cheapest month to fly into RDM. Why? Because while the skiing at Mt. Bachelor is peak, the general demand for Redmond/Bend drops off compared to the summer hiking season.
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Pro tip: Avoid Sundays. Everyone wants to fly home on Sunday. Tuesday and Wednesday are your best friends for cheap seats.
The Redmond Airport (RDM) Experience
Redmond Municipal Airport—officially Robert’s Field—is tiny. And that is its greatest strength.
You land, you walk about 50 feet to baggage claim, and you’re out the door. It makes Sea-Tac feel like a sprawling, chaotic city-state. But because it’s a small regional hub, transportation isn't as "instant" as it is in Seattle.
Getting to Bend or Beyond
Redmond is the gateway, but most people are heading 20 minutes south to Bend.
- Rental Cars: Budget, Hertz, and Avis are all right there. Book these when you book your flight. In the summer, RDM can actually run out of cars. Seriously.
- Rideshares: Uber and Lyft exist here, but don't expect a 2-minute wait time at 11:00 PM. Expect to pay about $50-$70 to get into downtown Bend.
- The Shuttle: Companies like Shuttle Oregon or EnviroShuttle are solid, but they aren't "on-demand." You need to call ahead.
- Public Transit: If you’re on a shoestring, the Cascades East Transit (CET) Route 24 connects the airport to the Bend Hawthorne Station for just a few bucks. It’s slow, but it works.
Avoiding the "Mountain Wave" Bumps
Let’s talk about the flight experience. Crossing the Cascades can be... interesting.
Because you're flying over high terrain where the air from the Pacific hits the mountains, "mountain waves" can cause some light to moderate turbulence. It’s perfectly safe—those Embraer jets are workhorses—but if you’re a nervous flier, grab a seat over the wing (rows 8-12). It’s the most stable part of the plane.
Also, the views? Unmatched. If you're flying south from Seattle, sit on the right side of the plane (Seat F). You’ll get a front-row seat to Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Hood as you cruise down the spine of the range.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your trip from the Emerald City to the High Desert, follow this checklist:
- Set a Google Flights alert specifically for "Nonstop only." You don't want a "deal" that sends you through Salt Lake City.
- Check the tail number on Alaska flights. If it’s an E175, you’re guaranteed no middle seat. If they swap in a 737, you might get squeezed.
- Pre-book your car rental. I cannot stress this enough. Walking up to the counter in Redmond without a reservation in July is a recipe for heartbreak.
- Pack layers. Seattle might be 55 and misty, while Redmond is 75 and bone-dry. The altitude change is real.
- Download your boarding pass. Cell service at RDM is fine, but why stress at the gate?
Flying this route is about buying back your time. While others are white-knuckling it through a snowstorm on Government Camp, you'll be sipping a craft beer in a Bend brewery before the ice in your Sea-Tac soda has even melted.