Costco Wholesale returns to Seattle the week of tariff refund strategy and April sales results

Costco Wholesale flew from San Diego to its home base at Seattle's Boeing Field late on May 15, 2026, a 2-hour 32-minute hop in its Gulfstream G280, tail N82CW. The flight arrived just after midnight, returning the aircraft to the company's Issaquah, Washington headquarters.

The same week, Costco Wholesale reported April net sales of $23.92 billion, a 13% increase year-over-year, per a May 6 GlobeNewswire release. CEO Ron Vachris has also been navigating the aftermath of the Supreme Court's February ruling that struck down IEEPA tariffs, with the company suing for refunds and vowing to return value to members through lower prices, as covered by Business Insider and Digital Commerce 360 in March. Vachris emphasized the company's commitment to being "the first to lower prices and the last to raise them."

The flight pattern shows N82CW has been active across the U.S. this week, including stops in the Northeast, Texas, and California, consistent with Costco Wholesale's operational footprint. The return to Seattle aligns with a likely debrief on tariff strategy and the strong monthly sales figures, as the company continues to manage a fluid trade environment.