Exploring Seattle Tacoma Airport's Busy Status: A Comprehensive Overview

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Washington. The airport is the busiest in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It has seen record growth in passenger traffic in the 2010s and 2020s, with the busiest day for outbound passengers being July 24, 2023, with 73,651 passengers. The average TSA security wait time is 25 minutes, but it can vary depending on factors like peak travel times, checkpoint location, and destination type. Wait times at the TSA checkpoints during peak departure periods averaged 20 minutes in 2019 and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a maximum of 90 minutes reached in June 2023.

Security wait times

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Washington. It is one of the busiest airports in the region, with 31 airlines operating and serving 91 domestic and 28 international destinations.

The average TSA security wait time at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 25 minutes. However, this can vary depending on several factors, including peak travel times, checkpoint location, and destination type. During peak departure periods in 2019, the wait time at TSA checkpoints averaged 20 minutes, increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic and reaching a maximum of 90 minutes in June 2023.

To avoid long security wait times, travellers can enrol in programs such as TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or CLEAR Plus. These programs offer benefits such as expedited security screening, not having to remove shoes and light outerwear, and faster verification. TSA PreCheck is available at Checkpoints 1 and 4 within SEA, while CLEAR Plus lanes are available at four security checkpoints.

The airport also offers a free reservation service for security wait times called SEA Spot Saver. This virtual queuing program helps reduce wait times and control crowds at security lines. Additionally, travellers can check the airport's website for "security wait times" to stay informed and plan their arrival accordingly.

It is recommended to arrive at the airport early, especially during busy periods like early mornings and holiday travel, as security wait times can be longer. The recommended arrival time is two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

To further streamline the security process, travellers should have their ID and boarding pass ready and follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels in carry-on luggage. Additionally, utilizing public transportation or meeting your ride at a nearby light rail stop can help avoid traffic congestion around the airport.

Transport to the airport

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Washington. The airport is located in the city of SeaTac, approximately 14 miles (23 km) south of downtown Seattle and 18 miles (29 km) north-northeast of downtown Tacoma.

There are multiple transport options available to get to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The airport is accessible by car, bus, train, shuttle, taxi, limousine, or ride-share services. Here are some detailed instructions for each transport option:

By Car

If you are driving to the airport, please note that parking on the shoulders of the Airport Expressway is illegal and dangerous. If you need a temporary and free parking space to wait for an arriving passenger, you can use the Cell Phone Lot, which is a safer alternative. The airport drives may be congested during peak times in the mornings for passenger drop-off and in the evenings for passenger pick-up. It is recommended to use the opposite drive during these times to balance the loads and avoid traffic.

By Bus

The airport is served by the King County Metro bus system and Sound Transit regional express buses. Sound Transit buses connect the airport with various destinations, including West Seattle, White Center, Burien, Renton, Newcastle, and Bellevue (Route 560), as well as Lakewood via Des Moines, Federal Way, and Tacoma (Route 574). The bus stop for Sound Transit is located at the south end of the main terminal on the lower drive, and you can exit the baggage claim near carousel one to reach it. For King County Metro buses, the stop is near the Link Station on International Boulevard.

By Train

The Link light rail is a quick, easy, and economical option to get to and from the airport. It takes approximately 38 minutes between the airport and the heart of downtown Seattle. If you are travelling to the airport by light rail, get off at the SeaTac/Airport Station. From baggage claim, follow the signs for the Link light rail. From baggage carousel 16 at the terminal's north end, go up one floor to the skybridge level, then head across Skybridge Six and turn left through the parking garage to the light rail station. A free electric shuttle service operates between the light rail station and the airport skybridge.

By Shuttle

The airport offers door-to-door shuttle services, such as Shuttle Express and Speedi Shuttle. Additionally, some area hotels and motels provide courtesy bus shuttle services that pick up and drop off passengers on the third floor of the parking garage at Islands 1 and 3. Check with your hotel to see if they offer an airport shuttle service.

By Taxi or Ride-Share

Taxis, limousines, and ride-share services such as Lyft, Uber, and Wingz are readily available at the airport. As of 2023, there are 409 taxi drivers who are part of the Teamsters Local 117 labor union serving the airport.

Cyberattack impact

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Washington. It is the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The airport covers an area of 2,500 acres and has three parallel runways. As of 2022, 31 airlines operate at SEA, serving 91 domestic and 28 international destinations.

On 24 August 2024, a cyberattack disrupted the airport's digital infrastructure, including its website, phone lines, check-in system, and automated baggage sorting. The attack was carried out by a ransomware gang called Rhysida, which has been responsible for dozens of financially motivated attacks, including the British Library cyberattack. The Port of Seattle, which owns and runs the airport, decided not to pay the ransom, and the FBI launched a criminal investigation. Most of the systems were restored by 31 August, but some data remained encrypted, and the Port of Seattle website and passenger information systems were still offline.

The cyberattack impacted travellers, with agents having to handwrite boarding passes and airlines struggling to sort luggage, resulting in bags being delivered to travellers well after they reached their destinations. The attack also occurred during the busy travel season leading up to Labor Day, further compounding the challenges.

To address the situation, the Port of Seattle staff worked to isolate critical systems and bring baggage sorting operations back online. Volunteers were on the ground to assist travellers, and updates were provided on a temporary website. Additionally, travellers were advised to use airline and travel apps to track gate and baggage claim information.

While SEA officials believed that no personal data was stolen, the attack highlighted the need for improved cybersecurity measures, such as strong password hygiene and multi-factor authentication. The Port of Seattle also took additional steps to further secure its IT services, including strengthening identity management and enhancing monitoring.

Record growth in passenger traffic

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Washington. It is the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The airport covers an area of 2,500 acres and has three parallel runways.

The airport has witnessed record growth in passenger traffic in the 2010s and 2020s. The busiest day for outbound passengers was July 24, 2023, with 73,651 passengers; more than 198,000 passengers (departing, arriving, and connecting) passed through the airport that day. The average TSA security wait time is 25 minutes, but it can vary depending on factors like peak travel times, checkpoint location, and destination type. Wait times at the TSA checkpoints during peak departure periods averaged 20 minutes in 2019 and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a maximum of 90 minutes reached in June 2023.

To manage the growing passenger traffic, the airport introduced a virtual queuing program called SEA Spot Saver in 2021 to reduce wait times and control crowds at security lines. The airport has five security checkpoints located in the main terminal, offering Clear Secure pre-screening and TSA Precheck at two checkpoints. The TSA PreCheck program offers travellers an expedited security screening, allowing members to keep their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, and not requiring them to remove laptops and compliant liquids from their carry-on bags.

The airport is also undergoing long-term renovation of the main terminal to improve passenger processing. Security Screening Checkpoint 5 is under construction to add more space and security screening capacity. Checkpoint 1 is relocating to the south on the baggage claim level, creating new queuing, travel document verification, and additional security screening lanes.

To avoid congestion during busy periods, travellers are advised to arrive at the terminal early, especially during peak hours, holiday travel, and early mornings. They can also use public transportation options like the light rail or bus services to reach the airport and avoid driving through busy airport drives.

Renovation plans

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Washington. It is one of the busiest hubs on the West Coast and is the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The airport is also space-constrained, being one of the most densely packed major airports worldwide.

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has several ongoing and upcoming renovation projects to improve the customer experience and expand the airport's capacity.

The Central Terminal Renovation Project, completed in Q1 2023, cost $21.8 million and added 11,000 square feet of dining and seating options. This included new restaurants like Salty's at the SEA, BrewTop Social, and a Centurion Lounge by American Express. The renovation also improved ADA accessibility and restored views of the airfield through an iconic glass wall.

The South Satellite Terminal is also planned for renovation to accommodate more widebody aircraft and address a "design flaw" that saw four gates built to incorrect specifications.

To address space constraints, the airport is building four additional levels upwards, which will include new restrooms, lounges, sensory rooms, a nursing station, and a solarium with views of the airfield and mountain ranges.

Security Screening Checkpoint 5 is currently under construction to redesign and add more space and security screening capacity as part of the SEA Gateway project. Checkpoint 1 is also relocating to the south on the baggage claim level, creating new queuing and travel document verification areas, and adding additional security screening lanes.

The airport is also working to improve its digital infrastructure, having suffered a cyberattack in August 2024 that disabled its website, phone lines, check-in systems, and automated baggage sorting.

These renovations and improvements aim to enhance the airport's efficiency and customer experience, with the ultimate goal of achieving a 5-star rating by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization.

Frequently asked questions