Is Seattle a world class city?

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If not what makes a world class city?

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If Seattle is not a world class city it is on the cusp of becoming one very soon. As mentioned before, Seattle is the most educated and most literate city in the country and has a well established technology and aerospace community and a growing Biotech industry. University of Washington is one of the top public university in the country with top notch schools in medicine and engineering and the other smaller universities are very good also. Also mentioned earlier was the lack of public transportation. That is not entirely true Metro transit (the bus line) is award winning and starting in 09 the light rail will begin service by 2016 The light rail will stretch from Tacoma, Bellevue, and eventually north to Everett. A street car line is also being built. The city has comprehensive plan to transform the five neighborhoods that make the city center into pedestrian friendly urban villages where car use will be minimal which is smart due to the reality of global warming. One biggest thing that Seattle needs to do that will put it over the top get rid of the viaduct and don't replace it with either a tunnel or a bigger viaduct the waterfront will open up.Yes, by all means! Seattle is a world class city due to it's size, culture, prime event status, transportation resources, landmarks, pro sporting teams, location as a gateway to Canada & Alaska, is a major port of call etc etc. Such factors are usual determinate (s) of a "World class city"
Sadly I have to say no. International tourism (beyond Canada) isn't as prevelent in Seattle as it is in other cities, and there is nothing to draw people there.

I love Seattle, but from an international standpoint, there isn't too much that makes it unique from most of the US. We have decent sports teams that will make a run for a championship every 5-10 years or so, but who never are considered consistently in the elite tier. Seattle is not know for it's music (other than pop / rock) or it's theather. And it is kinda off a hidden gem for most of the US.
Seattle will never be a world class city without a decent transportation system.
As a person that has traveled extensively, I would have to say yes. Seattle is exploding with growth and already has the reputation of being the most educated city in the U.S.

With companies such as Boeing, Microsoft, Yahoo and many others it is a major draw for engineers.

The outdoor activities are unmatched by any city in the U.S. The education system is superb.

Drawbacks?....only public transit. That is lacking behind other cities.

I consider it the number one city in the U.S. and very close to being number one in the world.
I would say San Francisco is a world class West Coast city. Seattle frankly doesn't have many job opportunities compared to world class cities - it's mostly dominated by larger companies but not as much entrepreneurial spirit anymore. With world class cities usually the cost of living is very high, and Seattle isn't as expensive. There is no light rail system right now too. But it has lots of natural beauty.