The unofficial last weekend of the summer is coming fast with the Labor Day holiday and there’s more to help you speed up and enjoy your travel experience at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). New dining and retail options are now open, along with the re-start of the SEA Visitor Pass, a new voice-activated app option, plus construction updates and travel tips are easily available.
What Should I Know Now?
- Masks are still required as federal mask mandates continue for transportation facilities through January 2022. If you haven’t traveled recently, SEA Airport encourages passengers to check the flySEA app and FlyHealthy@SEA for healthy, safe and thoughtful travel. Testing isn’t required for most domestic travel but check on the latest for international travel and Hawaii.
- AskSEA is a new voice-activated app to get your airport questions answered at home! Prep for your trip with a Google Assistant or an Amazon Alexa for quick answers.
- Once you’re here enjoy two new dining and retail options with Tundra Taqueria and SEA Roast Coffee House at the new North Satellite, home of the N gates. And check out more throughout the terminal!
- Want to meet someone at the gate or dine and watch the airfield? The SEA Visitor Pass is back for those who are not flying. Space is limited each day.
- We’re close to being finished with the upgrades to the Cell Phone Lot, but there will be delays and limitations over the next month. Check our project page and look for alternatives to use instead.
Make it Easier at SEA
- Try SEA Spot Saver! This is a free program for passengers to sign-up for reservations at the TSA general screening security checkpoints. RSVP to save your spot in line up to 72 hours in advance of travel or once at the airport. Explore other ways to skip the line at SEA.
- Use Pre-Booked Parking as an option for contact-free travel. Pre-Booked Parking allows you to book and pay for airport parking in advance of arrival. Drive your own vehicle and scan your booking QR code on your phone at the garage entry and exit.
- Breathe easy knowing our air filtration and ventilation system constantly circulates fresh, outdoor air through the terminal and uses a system that captures 90% of COVID-19 particles.
- Lost & Found – One of the worst things about travel is if you lose something! Yikes! Now there’s a larger Lost & Found to help. Located on bag claim level across from carousel 13, the new office is twice the size of the old one and ready to help with an overall return rate of 89.6 percent!
- The New North Satellite is now open! With 20 new gates, new landmark public art installations, a stage for live performances, open seating with views of the airfield and more to come with the Marketplace at N and additional retails options coming soon like Pike & Pine, and Filson.
By The Numbers
Current projections estimate that the Thursday and Friday ahead of the holiday will see more than 47,000 outbound travelers going through the security checkpoints, which amounts to over 130,000 total passengers going through the airport (inbound, outbound, and connecting). This represents approximately 20-30% fewer travelers compared to pre-pandemic levels. The busiest day since the pandemic began was August 15 with 53,201 screened outbound travelers and over 148,000 overall passengers. In 2019, SEA Airport would reach peaks of over 70,000 daily departing passengers or more than 196,000 overall.
Good Reminders
- If you’re sick, stay home. If you have symptoms, do not travel.
- Arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international travel – just like we used to. This is including your entire travel experience at the airport, from parking (at the airport garage or off-site with a shuttle), if you need to check bags at the ticket counters, getting through security checkpoints, and getting to your gate on time.
- Check travel guidance. Check with your airline regarding any rules you need to know for the state or country where you plan to travel.
Give me the Traveler Basics
The pandemic paused leisure travel for the last year. And rightly so. Now, travelers are more comfortable booking trips with the right planning and precautions to stay healthy. The CDC guidance for travelers changes depending on your COVID-19 vaccination status. We’re focused on keeping travelers and the SEA team safe. We are ready for you when you feel good about traveling.
- For a more efficient experience, download (or update!) the flySEA App. See checkpoint waits in real time in 5-minute increments, locate dining and retail to explore, and use the interactive map to navigate the airport.
- Look for the SEA Pathfinders in bright green if you have questions in the terminal or DM us and our customer care team is happy to help!
- Park in the airport garage. Consider picking up and dropping off passengers in the airport garage to avoid congestion. Short-term parking is only $5/hour. Pre-Booked Parking is available for a touchless transaction in advance of arrival.
- Be ready for security checkpoints. SEA and TSA want to help you move through security checkpoints as quickly as possible. Travelers are required to remove electronics larger than a cell phone from carry-on luggage. Also, remove foods and liquids from your carry-on luggage, prepare to hold up your boarding pass for review, and wear your mask. You can also see the latest Identification and Documentation Requirements.
- Need more travel hacks? Visit the Customer Service webpage for our best advice to navigate SEA like a frequent flier.
- SEA continues to add new services to make travel more accessible and improve the travel experience beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Check out our SEA Social Story developed for traveler with sensory sensitivities such as autism, but also great overall tips for kids. Learn more about accessibility at SEA. The interactive map on the flySEA App offers accessible route directions.
- Check with the City of SeaTac to see if there are any road construction projects that might hinder your access to the airport.
FlyHealthy@SEA will continue to evolve as travelers return to the airport. For more information, please visit:
Contact
Perry Cooper | SEA Airport
(206) 787-4923 | [email protected]
