Pack your patience, plan ahead and enjoy yourself for holiday travel through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Over 1.5 million travelers will make their way through Sea-Tac during the two weeks including Christmas and New Year’s this year. With passenger growth continuing on a pace of 13 percent over the previous year, the amount of travelers during the winter season will be higher than ever before. Below we offer the latest numbers for the busiest days, tips and tricks for getting through parking and the terminal, plus opportunities to enjoy the season with some holiday cheer.
Holiday Traffic Numbers
The busiest days for the December holiday season [Dec. 15 – Jan. 5]:
-
Wednesday, Dec. 23rd (137,500 passengers per day), Friday, Dec. 18 (132,500), Tuesday, Dec. 22 (130,000), Thursday, Dec. 17 (125,000), and Monday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 26th (122,500).
The lowest traffic numbers will be New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31st (97,500) and Christmas Day, Dec. 25th (107,000).
Additional Sea-Tac Airport Traffic Notes:
-
Arrive Early! Travelers are encouraged to arrive a minimum of 2 hours before domestic and 3 hours prior to international flights to ensure you have time to park, access the terminal, manage the ticketing process and get through security checkpoints.
-
The busiest times at the security checkpoints will be between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m.
-
For 2015, through November, passenger traffic is up 13.2 percent over 2014, including a 15.1 percent rise for international traffic. That trend will result in a fifth straight record year at Sea-Tac with a projected total over 42 million!
-
For further context, an average summer day (June-August) this year saw over 140,000 passengers -- the peak air travel time for Sea-Tac. Passenger traffic exceeded four million in one month for the first time ever in June. That record was broken in July and again in August. Traditionally, August is the busiest month of the year followed by July, June and May (December is 5th, November 10th).
-
This is not the busiest time of the year at Sea-Tac, but it can feel like it when you’re here. Why? We don’t have as many overall passengers but we do have a lot of inexperienced travelers who may only fly once or twice a year – inexperience can back up checkpoint lines. Plus, picking up relatives for the holidays means more traffic on the airport drives [see tips below for picking up out-of-town arrivals].
Holiday Entertainment and Photo Opportunities, December 16 - 24
Enjoy live holiday performance art, parades, carols, puppetry, music, souvenir giveaways and more throughout the terminal! This annual Holiday Entertainment Program, sponsored by the Merchants of Sea-Tac Airport, brings in local and world-renowned performers from Dec. 16 – 24 during peak passenger traffic hours of 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. For social media lovers, take your photo as Sasquatch, a Seahawks fan and other Seattle-themed characters in fun face cut-outs. Then tweet, Facebook or Instagram your holiday souvenir using hashtag #SEAthecheer!
Wrapped gifts may need to be opened by security to take a closer look, so consider our gift wrapping station post-security. From 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., volunteers from USO Northwest will be in the central terminal for quality care of your gift-wrapping needs. Donations to USO Northwest are welcome.
Tips for Avoiding Congestion on the Drives
Sea-Tac continues to make improvements designed to reduce congestion on the airport drives, including better quality signage, use of variable message signs and traffic control by Port of Seattle Police. Of significant note, shuttles for the Rental Car Facility have reduced the number of vehicles on the drive by more than 160,000 each month or about 2 million for the year.
Below are some effective tips for avoiding the congestion:
-
Arrive Early! [worth repeating!] Travelers are encouraged to arrive a minimum of 2 hours before domestic and 3 hours prior to international flights to ensure you have time to park, access the terminal, manage the ticketing process and get through security checkpoints.
-
THINK OPPOSITE! Pickup on the departure drive, drop-off on the arrivals drive – If traffic is congested, look for the opposite airport drive for relief. Try meeting your arriving guests one level up from baggage claim at the less crowded departure drive. Those with only carry-ons can go straight out the ticketing level. For drop-offs, reverse it. Go to the arrivals drive and travelers only have to go up one level to ticketing. Remember, the busiest times are mornings for departures and evenings for arrivals.
-
Don’t get stuck in traffic! -- The airport’s cellphone lot is often full during holiday travel periods and the main parking garage is an alternative worth considering. Park in Terminal Direct for only $4 per hour. It’s just a short walk to the main terminal, and is the quickest and most convenient option for meeting arriving passengers.Remember, there is no parking or waiting allowed on the airport roadway shoulders.
Save on Holiday Parking Rates
Heading out of town for the holiday? The winter holiday is a busy travel period, so plan ahead and save time by parking in the airport garage. Now through January 31, 2016, park for only $19/day or $99/week (up to seven days) in General Parking at the airport garage with our holiday parking coupon. Minimum two (2) day stay required.
What’s New?
-
Enjoy this “Best Arrivals Experience” honored by the Future Travel Experience Awards recognizing Sea-Tac Airport’s Experience the City of Music program. Live musicians at various locations throughout the terminal play daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check online for a schedule and get more details about this unique showcase of the region’s music culture, including a new Pearl Jam Concert Poster Art Exhibit organized by EMP Museum .
-
Discover all of Sea-Tac Airport’s art in your own hands with the STQRY app to learn more about all 65 airport art pieces from paintings, murals, sculptures and more including detailed descriptions, artist bios, fun facts, videos, and even online maps.
- Want to escape the busy airport terminal? Visit one of the Club at SEA lounges, which are now open to all passengers for a daily rate of $35. Locations: Gate S9 and across from Gate A11.
-
For users of electronics, take advantage of 2,400 power outlets attached to seats or at laptop charging counters at gate areas in all concourses. Check out our FREE WiFi throughout the terminal.
-
Questions? Lost? Pathfinders, dressed in teal blazers/vests and volunteers in blue, with blue clipboards, are available seven days a week in the terminal. Information kiosks are available after security in the central terminal food court, in the train lobby to the South Satellite and in bag claim near carousel 16.
-
Take the Sea-Tac Airport Art Walk for a little exercise and education in public art. The free, self-guided tour takes you ½ mile (one way) through more than 16 permanent art installations and rotating temporary exhibits. QR codes guide your way and provide artistic information.
-
Forgot to empty your liquids? At Security Checkpoints 2, 3 & 5, look for the liquid drain and keep your favorite container through security. Then when you get to the other side, refill with one of four water bottle fillers located at A2, A5, before D1 and in the central terminal food court.
-
Hawaiian Airlines continues to offer traveler convenience with self-tagging and boarding passes by using the airport’s self-service kiosks, which are located near the international ticket counters.
-
Don’t forget other amenities to enjoy your trip — rocking chairs in Central Terminal, the salmon walk on concourse B, a children’s play area where concourse A and B come together, pet relief areas — and find the talking water fountains.
General Travel Tips
-
Arrive at least two hours before your domestic flight, three hours before international flights – give yourself time to get parked, into the terminal, thru the ticketing process and through security checkpoints.
-
Do Some Advance Planning – Confirm your travel details and make sure the name on your boarding pass and your government-issued ID match.
-
Pack with Security in Mind – Know what is and isn’t allowed in carry-ons and checked luggage by checking the TSA website. Also see if you qualify for the new TSA PreCheck program.
-
Get your Boarding Pass Early – Print it online before you arrive or use convenient check-in kiosks in the airport garage or at airline check-in counters. Passengers with only carry-on baggage can go directly to the security checkpoint. Passengers with luggage can go to airline bag-check points.
-
Check the status of your flight online or via email notification – Check our flight status page for updates online or through email alerts.
-
Park in the Airport Garage – Save time, stay dry and be close. No shuttles, covered skybridges, and you are right next to the terminal.
Traveling Internationally? Sign-up for Global Entry
Frequent international travelers can significantly speed up their clearance process through U.S. Customs and Border Protection by enrolling in Global Entry, an expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. A five-year membership is only $100. Visit the Global Entry website for more information.
Earn Airline Miles When You Dine or Shop
Sea-Tac Airport partners with the Thanks Again loyalty program to offer airline miles when you make a purchase at any of our airport merchants. Enrollment is free and when you register by texting (text FLYSEATAC to 82257) you will receive 100 bonus miles. Register today and earn airline miles for purchases you already make at the airport.
About Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA, KSEA) is ranked as the 13th busiest U.S. airport, serving nearly 37.5 million passengers and more than 327,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2014. With a regional economic impact of more than $16.3 billion in business revenue, Sea-Tac generates more than 171,000 jobs (over 109,000 direct jobs) representing over $2.8 billion in direct earnings and more than $565 million in state and local taxes. Twenty-six airlines serve 80 non-stop domestic and 20 international destinations.
The Port of Seattle is setting the course for the future with the Century Agenda. In 25 years, we will generate 100,000 new jobs and increase international trade and tourism, while protecting the environment with innovative sustainability initiatives. Learn more about how the region’s economic engine will keep powering King County’s economy for years to come!
