Mailboxes At Seatac Airport: Availability And Locations

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) has mailboxes where travellers can drop off letters or small packages. Sources suggest that mailboxes are located on the departure level, pre-security between doors 14 and 16, and on the Lower Drive sidewalk outside of Baggage Claim carousel #12. One source mentions that there is a mailbox inside the airport, before security, but it is not an official mailbox as USPS only picks up mail from there as a courtesy.

Location of mailboxes at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

There is one mailbox at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). It is located on the Lower Drive sidewalk outside of Baggage Claim carousel #12 on the Baggage Claim Level. This is pre-security, and on maps, it is by Door 16 and Skybridge 4.

In January 2024, a user on the Airport Mailbox Project forum mentioned that there was a mailbox on the departure level, pre-security between doors 14 and 16. However, they noted that the mailbox had moved several times due to construction.

There are also a number of mailboxes where you can drop items pre- and post-security, but there is no full-service post office at the airport. The closest full-service post office is Riverton Heights.

Reliability of the mailbox service at the airport

The reliability of the mailbox service at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) has been a topic of discussion among travellers. While the airport does provide mailboxes for outgoing mail, there have been mixed reports about the reliability of mail delivery from these mailboxes.

One traveller reported that they dropped a letter in the mailbox at Sea-Tac in December 2024, but the intended recipient never received it. This caused an issue as the letter was meant to pay a bill. This incident raises concerns about the reliability of the mailbox service at the airport, especially for time-sensitive or important mail.

However, it is important to note that the United States Postal Service (USPS) only picks up mail from the airport as a courtesy, and the mailbox is not an official USPS collection point. This may contribute to the unpredictability of mail delivery from Sea-Tac.

The location of the mailboxes at Sea-Tac has also changed over time due to construction work. As of January 2024, a mailbox was observed on the departure level, pre-security between doors 14 and 16. This information was shared by a traveller who noted that the mailbox had moved multiple times due to ongoing construction.

Travellers seeking greater reliability for their mail may consider using alternative options, such as a full-service post office located near the airport or using the postal services offered by their accommodation. Additionally, stamps can be purchased at all airport ATMs, providing convenience for those who wish to mail postcards or letters.

While Sea-Tac offers the convenience of having mailboxes available for outgoing mail, the reliability of mail delivery from these mailboxes may vary. For important or time-sensitive correspondence, it is advisable to use an official post office or other more reliable methods to ensure timely and secure delivery.

Where to buy stamps at the airport

If you're looking to buy stamps at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), you have a few options. Firstly, it's worth noting that stamps can be purchased at all airport ATMs, likely offering a book of first-class Forever stamps suitable for a one-ounce letter within the USA. There may be a surcharge for purchasing stamps through an ATM, however.

Additionally, Sea-Tac offers over 35 shops, including travel essentials and luxury goods. Some of the shops located in the airport include Hudson, which has multiple locations throughout the airport, including near Baggage Claim 14, Central Terminal, Gate A3, Gate A9, Gate C8, and Pre-security Ticketing. Other shops include CHALO, Coach, Dufry Duty Free, ExOfficio, Filson, Fireworks, and Lady Yum. These shops may offer stamps for purchase, especially those located near the baggage claim or providing travel essentials. It is always a good idea to inquire directly at the shops or with airport information desks to confirm stamp availability.

Furthermore, according to traveller forums, there are mail boxes where you can drop letters or small packages within the airport. These are typically located past security, near the train to the North Satellite. Some forums mention a mailbox before security, but it is uncertain if this is still there due to construction.

Alternative ways to send mail from the airport

While there are a few mailboxes at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), there is no US Post Office in the airport terminal. If you are looking for alternative ways to send mail from the airport, here are some options:

Postal or Courier Services

The closest full-service post office to Sea-Tac is the Riverton Heights USPS location. There are also several courier services, such as express couriers or traditional snail mail, that can be used to send mail. However, these options may not be as convenient as a digital solution and may come with additional costs.

Digital Alternatives

In today's digital world, there are many alternatives to sending mail besides traditional postal services. Here are some options:

• Video Emailing: This involves using a screen recorder to record your voice, video, and relevant displays from your computer screen to create an explanatory video for recipients to view. Tools like ScreenRec offer free and secure video emailing with 2GB of free storage space.
• Project Management Platforms: Platforms like ProofHub help manage projects, track progress, and keep tabs on tasks, eliminating the need for back-and-forth emails.
• Collaboration Platforms: Collaboration tools like Asana offer instant chatting, commenting, voice/video meetings, and more, providing a single platform for productive project completion and team collaboration.
• Voice/Video Chatting: Online meeting platforms like Zoom allow for instant feedback and real-time communication, making it a more efficient alternative to drafting and sending emails.
• Text Messaging CRM: Tools like Salesmate's SMS CRM enable businesses to send personalized offers and greetings directly to customers' smartphones, increasing sales and engagement.
• Social Media for Work: Platforms like Yammer allow companies to create their own social media platforms for employees to post, comment, and send direct messages, keeping everyone engaged and connected.
• Instant Messaging Apps: Apps like WhatsApp offer real-time chatting, voice/video calling, and file sharing for up to 500 people, making it a more dynamic option than email.
• Secure Emailing Services: If privacy is a concern, secure email providers like Protonmail offer end-to-end encryption and additional security features to ensure your communications remain private.

These alternative methods of communication can help improve productivity, enhance collaboration, and provide more secure and efficient ways of exchanging information compared to traditional mail or email.

History of the Airport Mailbox Project

The Airport Mailbox Project was started by Mike, a member of the Letter Writers Alliance (#7995) and a part-time letter writer. In 2015, he visited Seattle and found a mailbox inside security at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). He photographed it and commented on how nice it was to have an airport provide a mailbox for travellers who need to post something. During his flight home, he wondered if other airports had the same service. He found a post on the Letter Writers Alliance blog about a site dedicated to airport mailboxes, but when he tried to access the site again in 2016, it was gone.

Mike then decided to recreate the site to help travellers who need to find a place to mail a letter or a postcard at the airport. The Airport Mailbox Project lists airports with data on mailbox availability, with the aim of covering all airports. The website provides information on where to find mailboxes at specific airports, with instructions on how to search using the ICAO three-character airport code. It also includes an FAQ page that answers common questions about mailing items from an airport, such as the process for posting, the difference between pre-security and post-security locations, and the potential risks of using a mailbox within an airport's secure zone.

Frequently asked questions