Seattle's Main Airport: A Comprehensive Guide To Sea-Tac

Seattle's main airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac. It is the 11th busiest airport in the US and serves Seattle, Tacoma, and the rest of western Washington. The airport is located 13 miles (21 km) from downtown Seattle and covers an area of 2,500 acres (1,000 hectares). It features a central terminal with concourses A, B, C, and D, as well as two satellite terminals (N and S gates). Sea-Tac is a hub for Alaska Airlines and offers a range of dining, shopping, and lounge options for travellers.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac)

Sea-Tac is the primary hub for Alaska Airlines, whose headquarters are near the airport. The airport also serves as a hub and international gateway for Delta Air Lines, which has expanded its presence at Sea-Tac since 2011. As of 2022, 31 airlines operate at Sea-Tac, serving 91 domestic and 28 international destinations in North America, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

The airport features a central terminal with concourses A, B, C, and D, and two satellite terminals (North and South gates). The terminal has multiple levels, including Level 2 for the Satellite Transit System (STS) stations, Level 3 for baggage claim, Level 4 for the skybridge to ground transportation and car parking, Level 5 for check-in and access to concourses, and Level 6 for the mezzanine with conference facilities. The airport has a wide range of dining, shopping, and lounge options for passengers to enjoy.

Sea-Tac has a light rail station connected to the parking garage adjacent to the Central Terminal, providing easy access to downtown Seattle and the University of Washington. The airport also offers various other ground transportation options, including bus services, rental cars, and shuttle services.

Sea-Tac has experienced significant growth in passenger traffic in recent years and is continuously investing in expansion and renovation projects to accommodate this growth. The airport is ranked 8th among U.S. airports for passenger activity and 21st for air cargo, making it a vital hub of aviation activity and an economic driver for the region.

Location and transport links

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (IATA: SEA, ICAO: KSEA, FAA LID: SEA) is the primary 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. Sea-Tac is ranked 8th among U.S. airports for passenger activity and 21st for air cargo.

The airport covers an area of 2,500 acres (1,000 hectares) and has three parallel runways. It is the primary hub for Alaska Airlines, whose headquarters are located near the airport, and its regional subsidiary Horizon Air. The airport serves as a hub and international gateway for Delta Air Lines, which has expanded its presence at Sea-Tac since 2011. As of 2022, 31 airlines operate at Sea-Tac, serving 91 domestic and 28 international destinations in North America, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Sea-Tac is easily accessible by road, with Interstate 5 and Interstate 405 converging near the airport. State Route 518 and the Airport Expressway provide a direct connection to the airport from these interstate highways. State Route 99, State Route 509, and State Route 188 also provide access to the airport from various directions. The airport is the largest generator of vehicle trips in the state of Washington.

For passengers travelling to and from the airport, there are several ground transportation options available. The airport has a large parking garage with over 12,100 spaces, including spaces for electric vehicles and oversized vehicles. The parking garage is located adjacent to the Central Terminal and is within walking distance to the departure and arrival areas.

Public transportation to and from the airport is also convenient, with the SeaTac/Airport Station located nearby. The station is served by the Link light rail system, providing frequent service to downtown Seattle and the University of Washington. The airport is also served by King County Metro buses and Sound Transit regional express buses, connecting passengers to various destinations in the region.

In addition to public transportation and private vehicles, there are other options for travellers. Door-to-door shuttle services, such as Shuttle Express and Speedi Shuttle, are available. Taxi services, ride-sharing services such as Lyft, Uber, and Wingz, and scheduled airporter bus services are also convenient options.

The airport is also a major hub for car rental services, with several companies operating from an off-site facility located northeast of the airport. Courtesy shuttle buses are provided by the rental car companies, making it easy for travellers to access their services.

Sea-Tac's location and transport links make it a convenient and accessible airport for travellers to and from the Seattle region. With its central location between Seattle and Tacoma, and a range of transportation options, the airport serves as a vital gateway to the region.

History and development

Seattle's main airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The airport was developed in the 1940s as a direct response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Here is a detailed history of its development:

The military takeover of civilian airports in Seattle during World War II, including Seattle's Boeing Field and Tacoma's McChord Field, limited civilian air travel. This spurred demands for a new airport to serve the greater Seattle area. On January 6, 1942, the federal Civil Aviation Authority offered $1 million to any local government that would build a new regional airport. After much deliberation, the Port of Seattle accepted the challenge.

The Port of Seattle considered several sites for the new airport, including Lake Sammamish, which was attractive due to its potential for seaplane operations. However, safety concerns arose due to its proximity to the Cascade Range. Ultimately, a tract of rough scrubland at Bow Lake, approximately midway between Seattle and Tacoma, was chosen. This site was preferred as it was expected to be relatively fog-free, and Tacoma and Pierce County offered $100,000 towards construction if this location was selected.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Seattle-Tacoma Airport took place on January 2, 1943. Construction involved the excavation of 6.5 million cubic yards of earth to establish a level plateau. The project encountered challenges due to the sandy soil conditions, which increased the final construction cost to over $4.2 million. The airport's first ceremonial landing was made on October 31, 1944, by United Air Lines, although significant commercial use did not begin until 1946.

The first scheduled commercial flights from the airport began on September 1, 1947, with Northwest Airlines and Western Airlines operating ten daily departures. The terminal building was dedicated on July 9, 1949, in front of a crowd of 30,000 spectators. Designed by architect Herman A. Moldenhour, the building included a rooftop control tower and glass-walled concourses. The airport originally had four runways arranged in an "X" shape, with the terminal building designed in an "inverted V" shape to match the runway layout.

Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and the introduction of jetliners. The north-south runway was lengthened multiple times between 1950 and 1958 to support commercial jetliners. The first parking lot opened in 1955, and several new concourses and satellite terminals were added in the 1960s. A second runway was completed in 1970, parallel to the existing main runway.

In the 1980s, the Main Terminal was renovated, and Concourses B, C, and D were expanded. In the late 1990s, plans for a third runway were approved, despite opposition from local communities. The third runway opened in 2008, located 2,500 feet west of the existing runways, allowing for landings in low-visibility conditions.

The airport has continued to undergo modernization and expansion projects in the 2010s and 2020s, including the renovation and expansion of the Central Terminal building, the North Satellite Terminal, and the International Arrivals Facility. These projects have aimed to improve efficiency, enhance the passenger experience, and accommodate the growing demand for international travel.

Airlines and destinations

Seattle's main airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). SEA is ranked 8th among U.S. airports for passenger activity and 21st for air cargo. It is the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.

As of 2022, 31 airlines operate at SEA, serving 91 domestic and 28 international destinations in North America, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The airport has 115 gates across four concourses and two satellite buildings.

Concourse A contains 16 gates and is primarily used by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and several international carriers. Some of the destinations served by Delta Air Lines include Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Tokyo-Haneda. United Airlines serves destinations such as Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark, and San Francisco. International carriers using Concourse A include Air France, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic.

Concourse B contains 17 gates and is primarily used by Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. Delta Air Lines serves destinations such as Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Salt Lake City. Southwest Airlines serves destinations including Baltimore, Chicago-Midway, Denver, Houston-Hobby, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix-Sky Harbor, and San Jose (CA).

Concourse C is exclusive to Alaska Airlines and contains 27 gates. Some of the destinations served by Alaska Airlines include Anchorage, Boise, Los Angeles, Orlando, and Spokane.

Concourse D contains 17 gates and is mainly used by Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. Alaska Airlines serves destinations such as Boise, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), and San Jose (CA). American Airlines serves destinations including Charlotte, Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, and Philadelphia.

The North Satellite contains 20 gates and is used exclusively by Alaska Airlines. Some of the destinations served include Anchorage, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

The South Satellite contains 14 gates and is used by Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, and several other domestic and international carriers. Delta Air Lines serves destinations such as Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, London-Heathrow, and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Hawaiian Airlines serves Honolulu and Kahului. Other carriers using the South Satellite include Air Canada, Air France, and Japan Airlines.

In addition to the airlines and destinations mentioned, SEA is also served by carriers such as American Eagle, Condor, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Spirit Airlines.

Facilities and amenities

Seattle's main airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). It is ranked 8th in the US for passenger activity and 21st for air cargo. The airport is just minutes from downtown Seattle and is easily accessible by several transport options.

SEA offers a wide range of facilities and amenities for travellers. Here is an overview:

• Dining and Retail Options: SEA provides travellers with a diverse mix of over 100 dining, retail, and service options. The airport features NW-inspired local brands and well-known favourites. Retail options include gift shops, designer brands, local goods, and duty-free shopping.
• Art and Music: SEA showcases a diverse collection of contemporary art, including glasswork, sculptures, photography, and paintings. Travellers can enjoy the Art Walk, a half-mile path from Starbucks (Central Terminal) to Gate A-14. The airport also features daily live music performances under the Experience the City of Music programme.
• Information Desk: Airport Volunteers, easily spotted by their blue jackets, offer general information about airport services. Red-vested "Pathfinder" customer service representatives are also available to direct passengers.
• Rest and Relaxation Zones: While padded benches are no longer available, travellers can find chairs with armrests or regular chairs throughout the airport. The meditation room on Floor 2 has a quiet atmosphere and comfortable benches. The Mezzanine near Security Checkpoint 4 also offers a quiet space.
• Luggage Storage and Lockers: SEA does not have lockers, but luggage storage is available at Smarte Carte Baggage Storage in the Baggage Claim area. They offer baggage storage, frozen and refrigerated item storage, and rental services for wheelchairs and strollers.
• Showers and Spas: Shower facilities are available at Club SEA (Concourse S) and Centurion Lounge (Concourse S). The Terminal Gateway Spa (Airside, Level 5, near Gate A5) offers various spa services.
• Baby Care Facilities: The Mother's Room provides a private and quiet space with adjustable lighting, rocking chairs, and power outlets. It is located inside the Kid's Play Area, and there is an additional room in the USO for military families. Seven nursing suites are also available throughout the airport.
• Children's Play Areas: There is a play area located across from the Seattle Taproom (between the Central Terminal and A Gates). It is open 24 hours.
• ATMs and Currency Exchange: ATMs are available in the Central Terminal (Landside and Airside) and all gated areas. Currency exchange services are provided by Travelex, with offices in the Main Terminal (Ticketing Level and Baggage Claim) and A and S Gates.
• Smoking Areas: There are two designated smoking areas on airport grounds, but they require a bit of a walk to reach. These areas are located at the north and south ends of the Lower Drive (Baggage Claim level).
• Water Bottle Refill Stations: Travellers can refill their water bottles at various locations, including Gates A-2, A-5, C-2, D-1, S Gates, and the Central Terminal (food court and near the B exit/pet potty).
• Mobile Charging Points and WiFi: Under-seat power outlets are available at all A, B, D, and S gates, and additional outlets are being added to Gates C, D, and N. Free WiFi is available throughout the airport.
• Airport Lounges: SEA offers several airport lounges, including the Alaska Lounge (multiple locations), Centurion Lounge (Central Terminal, Mezzanine), Delta Sky Club (Concourse A, near Gate 1), The Club at SEA (South Satellite and Central Terminal), and United Club (Central Terminal, Concourse A, Gate A10). Some lounges require lounge membership programs or day passes, while others are accessible to specific traveller classes.
• Hotels: There are no sleep cabins or pods available at the airport, but several nearby hotels provide accommodations, including the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center and Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport. These hotels typically offer free airport shuttles.
• Transportation: SEA offers accessible transportation options, including a dedicated Rental Car Facility with a free 24-hour shuttle service from the north and south ends of the main terminal. The airport is also served by the Link light rail system, with a station connected to the airport terminal via a pedestrian bridge. Additionally, various bus services, shuttles, taxis, and ride-share services are available.

Frequently asked questions