Sachin Walls
Seattle Airport, also known as Seattle Tacoma International Airport, has been affected by a number of issues, including a cyberattack, 5G rollout, and general delays. While the airport has been working to resolve these issues, it is unclear if all systems are back to normal. As of April 2025, the airport was still experiencing minor delays of 15 minutes or less for both departures and arrivals. It is recommended that travellers check with their airlines for the latest updates on potential impacts on their flights, including delays or cancellations due to 5G implementation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flight status boards | Not working |
| Baggage claim information boards | Not working |
| Gate hold and taxi delays | 15 minutes or less |
| Airborne delays | 15 minutes or less |
| Unauthorized activity | Confirmed as a cyberattack |
| 5G rollout | Closely monitored for potential impacts |
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What You'll Learn
Delays and cancellations due to 5G rollout
In January 2022, the rollout of 5G wireless service by AT&T and Verizon near Seattle Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) caused concerns about potential flight delays and cancellations. The issue arose due to the potential interference of 5G C-band transmissions with aircraft equipment, particularly in low-visibility conditions.
Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that the 5G rollout could lead to stranded travellers and waves of cancelled flights. This was especially concerning for international travellers, as several global carriers decided to suspend flights in the US until safety concerns could be addressed. In addition to leisure and business flights, cargo flights, military operations, medical evacuations, and organ transplant helicopters were also potentially impacted.
On January 24, all flights in and out of Everett's Paine Field operated by Alaska Air's E175 regional jets were grounded and cancelled due to a combination of bad weather and nearby 5G C-band transmission. Dense fog created dangerous flying conditions, as pilots could not rely on their altimeters to operate accurately due to nearby 5G transmitters.
To address these concerns, AT&T and Verizon agreed to delay the 5G deployment in certain markets and create a buffer zone around affected airports, including Sea-Tac. They turned off nearby transmitters or adjusted signal strength to minimise interference. As a result, Sea-Tac avoided most signal-related cancellations. The FAA has been working to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and cargo by analysing each aircraft type and airport affected by 5G interference.
As of April 2025, Seattle Airport experiences occasional minor delays, with arrival and departure traffic experiencing airborne and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less.
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Delays lasting 15 minutes or less
While Seattle Airport (SEA) is mostly back to normal following a cyberattack, travellers are still experiencing some delays. These include gate hold and taxi delays lasting 15 minutes or less, as well as airborne arrival delays of 15 minutes or less. The Federal Aviation Authority is also monitoring the potential impacts of 5G roll-out on flights, so it's worth checking with your airline on any possible delays or cancellations.
The cyberattack was first discovered on the morning of Saturday, with the airport confirming it was a malicious attack on Sunday afternoon. While most systems are now back on track, the flight status and baggage claim information boards remain out of action. To help travellers, announcements are being made at baggage claim, and staff are on hand to provide customer service and direct people to their luggage.
If you're travelling through Seattle Airport, it's recommended that you use your airline's app to monitor flight status and baggage claim information.
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Cyberattack affecting systems
While Seattle Airport's systems are mostly back to normal following a cyberattack, there are still a few issues affecting operations. Airport staff discovered unauthorised activity on its system on Saturday morning and, by Sunday afternoon, confirmed that this was a cyberattack.
The cyberattack has led to outages at the Port of Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. Specifically, the flight status boards and baggage claim information boards are still not functioning. To mitigate this, travellers have been advised to use their airline's app to monitor flight statuses and baggage claim information. In addition, announcements are being made at baggage claim areas to direct passengers to their luggage, and airport staff have been assigned to act as customer service representatives near the baggage carousels.
The cyberattack occurred during a busy period for the airport, with more than 500,000 people expected to fly in or out in the days leading up to and following Labor Day. The airport is also closely monitoring potential impacts to flights due to the roll-out of 5G, which could cause delays or cancellations.
While the airport works to restore all systems to full functionality, travellers are encouraged to check directly with their airline for the most up-to-date information on any possible disruptions to their flights.
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Outages at Port of Seattle
While Seattle Airport (SEA) has confirmed that most systems are operational following a cyberattack, there are still some issues affecting specific services. On Saturday morning, airport staff identified unauthorised activity on its system, later confirmed as a cyberattack. Although many functions have been restored, the flight status and baggage claim information boards remain out of service. To mitigate this, travellers have been advised to use their airline's app to monitor flight and baggage claim information. Announcements are also being made at baggage claim areas, and dedicated staff are on hand to assist passengers in locating their luggage.
The cyberattack caused outages at the Port of Seattle, affecting the Sea-Tac Airport. Delays of 15 minutes or less have been reported for both departures and arrivals, with traffic experiencing gate hold and taxi delays. The Federal Aviation Authority has advised travellers to check directly with their air carrier for the most up-to-date and accurate information on potential impacts, including delays or cancellations.
The Port of Seattle is actively monitoring the situation and providing updates through various communication channels. They have advised travellers to refer to their official pages on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest information. Additionally, travellers can visit the Federal Aviation Authority's 5G and Safety page for details specific to the potential impacts of the 5G rollout on aviation.
As Seattle Airport recovers from the cyberattack, travellers are encouraged to stay informed through the recommended channels and allow for potential delays or disruptions during the busy Labor Day travel period. Over 500,000 passengers are expected to fly in and out of SEA Airport during this time, so staying updated and proactive is essential for a smooth travel experience.
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Increased customer service staff
While many of Seattle Airport's systems are back to normal following a cyberattack, the airport has increased its customer service staff to assist travellers with any issues. Although travellers can use their airline's app to monitor flight status and baggage claim information, the additional staff are on hand to answer any queries and direct passengers to their luggage. This enhanced customer service presence is designed to ensure travellers can easily navigate the airport and access the information they need.
The increased customer service staff at Seattle Airport are strategically positioned near the baggage claim carousels. This allows them to provide direct assistance to travellers as they arrive at their destination. With a large volume of passengers expected, especially during peak travel periods like Labor Day, the additional staff help manage the flow of people and prevent congestion in the baggage claim area.
The customer service representatives are trained to handle a variety of traveller inquiries. They can provide real-time updates on flight statuses, gate changes, and delays, ensuring that travellers have the most current information at their fingertips. Additionally, they can offer guidance on navigating the airport, locating specific facilities or services, and making efficient connections for ongoing journeys.
By increasing the number of customer service staff, Seattle Airport aims to improve the overall travel experience for its passengers. This additional support helps reduce wait times for information, minimizes traveller stress, and enhances the efficiency of airport operations. The presence of these dedicated staff members demonstrates the airport's commitment to customer satisfaction and their proactive approach to addressing potential challenges.
The deployment of extra customer service staff is part of Seattle Airport's comprehensive response to the cyberattack. While the airport works to restore all systems to full functionality, the combination of technology (through airline apps) and human support (through customer service representatives) ensures travellers can still access essential information and have a smooth journey through the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Seattle Airport is operating as normal, but travellers are advised to check with their airline about any possible delays or cancellations due to the 5G rollout.
There are currently minor delays of 15 minutes or less for both arrivals and departures.
On Saturday morning, airport staff discovered unauthorised activity on its system. On Sunday afternoon, they confirmed that this was due to a cyberattack.
The cyberattack led to outages at the Port of Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. Flight status boards and baggage claim information boards were down, but travellers were informed via announcements and customer service representatives.
