Owais Crawford
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac, is the 11th busiest airport in the United States. It features a central terminal with four concourses (A, B, C, and D) and two satellite terminals (North and South Satellites). All non-precleared international arrivals arrive at the South Satellite or Concourse A, regardless of their departure terminal. Horizon flights, which are operated by Alaska Airlines, typically use the Horizon gates on Concourse C. However, there is a slight chance that one flight might use a gate at the North Satellite, requiring a connection via the automatic train that links the main terminal with the two satellites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) |
| Nickname | Sea–Tac |
| Location | Seattle, Washington, US |
| Size | 4 square miles |
| Number of runways | 3 |
| Number of concourses | 4 (A, B, C, and D) |
| Number of satellite terminals | 2 (North and South Satellites) |
| Number of gates | 115 |
| Number of lounges | 10 |
| Airlines | Delta Air Lines, Scandinavian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Horizon, Air Canada |
| Facilities | Free Wi-Fi, charging stations, lost and found office, children's play area, nursing stations |
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What You'll Learn
Horizon flights use Concourse C
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or Sea-Tac, is the 11th busiest airport in the US, serving over 24 million passengers per year. The airport features a central terminal with four concourses, A, B, C, and D, and two satellite terminals (the North and South Satellites).
Concourse C opened in July 1966, and initially had eight gates. Four years later, it was extended to include another 10 gates, bringing the total to 35.
The airport offers free Wi-Fi within all public areas, and power outlets can be found under selected seats at almost every gate at all concourses.
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International arrivals use Concourse A
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as SEA Airport, is the 11th busiest airport in the United States. The airport has a central terminal with four concourses, A, B, C, and D, and two satellite terminals, North and South Satellites.
International arrivals at SEA Airport use Concourse A. The new International Arrivals Facility (IAF) is a multi-level, 450,000-square-foot facility located east of Concourse A. An 85-foot-high aerial walkway connects arriving international passengers from the S Concourse (formerly South Satellite) across the top of Concourse A to the IAF.
The IAF was designed to increase capacity and improve the arrival process for international passengers. It nearly doubles the number of international-capable gates from 12 to 20 and increases passenger capacity by more than double to 2,600 passengers per hour. The IAF also incorporates enhanced technologies for faster passport check clearance and increases the size and number of baggage claim carousels.
All international flights arrive at the IAF, where connecting and non-connecting passengers must process through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before entering the United States. This includes claiming all checked luggage and an inspection/interview by CBP officers. After clearing customs, passengers can exit to Seattle or transfer to connecting flights.
Concourse A also offers various amenities for passengers, including charging stations, a children's play area, and a variety of dining and shopping options.
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The airport is one of the busiest in the US
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or Sea-Tac, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. It is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Washington. Located in the city of SeaTac, approximately 14 miles (23 km) south of downtown Seattle, the airport covers an area of 2,500 acres (1,000 hectares) and has three parallel runways.
Sea-Tac is the 11th busiest airport in the US based on 2023 passenger numbers, serving over 24 million passengers per year. The airport's international network is growing, with 22 international airlines operating out of Sea-Tac. The busiest day for outbound passengers was July 24, 2023, with 73,651 passengers. More than 198,000 departing, arriving, and connecting passengers passed through the airport that day. This growth in passenger traffic has been fuelled by the expansion of Seattle-based Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which has set up a major international hub at the airport.
Sea-Tac has a central terminal with four concourses (A, B, C, and D) and two satellite terminals (North and South Satellites), connected by the SEA Underground automated people mover system. The airport has 115 gates in total and offers a wide range of dining, shopping, and lounge options. To accommodate the increasing passenger traffic, Sea-Tac has undergone several expansions and renovations, including the addition of a third runway in 2008 and a new international arrivals facility in 2022.
The airport provides easy access to downtown Seattle and the surrounding areas through various ground transportation options, including the Link Light Rail, buses, rental cars, and shuttles. Sea-Tac also offers convenient amenities such as free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and a children's play area.
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The airport has free Wi-Fi
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, also known as SEA, is the 11th busiest airport in the United States, serving over 24 million passengers per year. The airport offers a wide range of amenities to accommodate its many travellers, including free Wi-Fi in all public areas.
To connect to the airport's free Wi-Fi, simply open your device's Wi-Fi settings and select the network "SEATAC-FREE-WIFI". This network provides unlimited access to the internet at no cost to users. The average speed of the airport's Wi-Fi is 103mbps, making it the fastest airport Wi-Fi in the country.
While the public nature of the Wi-Fi network enables free access, it also comes with security risks. As with any free or public Wi-Fi, it is important to be cautious as these networks can be hijacked by hackers. Connecting to public Wi-Fi may put your data and online privacy at risk, so it is recommended to avoid accessing sensitive information while connected to "SEATAC-FREE-WIFI".
In addition to free Wi-Fi, SEA offers various other amenities to enhance the travel experience. The airport features a range of dining, shopping, and lounge options, including the Alaska Lounge, Centurion Lounge, and Delta Sky Club. For those travelling with children, there is a dedicated play area located between the Central Terminal and Concourse A, across from the Seattle Tap Room. The airport also provides a lost and found service, located above Checkpoint 3 on the mezzanine level, and is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
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The airport has a cyberattack history
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea–Tac, is the 11th busiest airport in the United States, serving over 24 million passengers per year. On August 24, 2024, the airport suffered a cyberattack that disrupted various services and caused significant delays. The attack targeted the airport's digital infrastructure, including its website, phone lines, check-in systems, and automated baggage sorting. As a result, some airline and airport staff had to resort to manual processes, such as writing out boarding passes by hand and sorting baggage without the automated system.
The cyberattack was attributed to a ransomware gang called Rhysida, which has been responsible for other cyber incidents, including a ransomware attack on the British Library in October 2023. In the case of the Sea–Tac cyberattack, the gang demanded a ransom of $6 million in bitcoin for the return of stolen files. The Port of Seattle, which owns and operates the airport, refused to pay the ransom, stating that doing so would not align with their values or responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Instead, they focused on strengthening their IT services and enhancing security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The cyberattack had widespread impacts on airport operations and caused significant disruptions for passengers. Many services provided by the Port of Seattle were affected, including the facility's primary websites, phone systems, email communication, Wi-Fi access, flight display screens, check-in kiosks, and even the airport's lost and found department. The most notable delays occurred at check-in counters and bag check stations, causing frustration among passengers who faced challenges with boarding and luggage retrieval.
The Port of Seattle conducted a thorough investigation into the cyberattack, with assistance from external experts, the TSA, and federal agencies. While the exact nature of the attack was not disclosed, it was confirmed that the hackers were able to encrypt some data. The investigation aimed to assess the extent of the data breach and determine if any personal information was compromised. The airport's temporary website provided updates on operational status and technological availability during the recovery process.
The cyberattack on Sea–Tac Airport highlights the growing threat of cyber incidents targeting critical infrastructure. As airports rely increasingly on digital systems for efficient operations, they become attractive targets for malicious actors. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the potential impact of cyberattacks on travel and transportation systems.
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Frequently asked questions
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea–Tac, is an airport that was developed in the 1940s to replace Boeing Field, which had been converted for military use during World War II. It is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving over 24 million passengers per year.
Horizon arrivals at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport use the Horizon gates on Concourse C. There is a slight chance that a flight might use a gate at the North Satellite, but the connection between the two would take 10-15 minutes using the automatic train.
The lost and found office at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is located above checkpoint 3 on the mezzanine level. It is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
