About Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) serves the people of the Pacific Northwest with essential services, access to hundreds of domestic and global destinations, and economic activity that supports tens of thousands of jobs and produces $22 billion in economic activity. SEA has earned the highest U.S. ranking in Skytrax’s World’s Top 100 Airports for the third year in a row, two consecutive years as Best Airport in North America (2022/2023), and a 4-Star Skytrax Rating, focused on customer-centered travel with better services, facilities, and amenities. SEA totaled over 50.8 million passengers in 2023 – down just 1.8% from 2019 – with a forecast to exceed pre-pandemic traveler volumes in 2024. Thirty-five airlines serve 93 nonstop domestic and 30 international destinations including Canada, Mexico, and seasonal operations.
For more information about our U.S. Top 11 airport, visit www.flysea.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Every day. Elevate.
Air Passengers at SEA
- 50.8 million in 2023 (+10.7% over 2022, -1.8% v. 2019)
- Domestic passengers: 45,089,764 in 2023 (+8.4% v. 2022)
- International passengers: 5,787,496 (+32.1% v. 2022)
- U.S. rank by passenger numbers: #11 (2023 rank)
- World ranking by passenger numbers: #28
- Gates: 89
- Approximately 70% of the airport’s passengers originate and terminate their itinerary at SEA
Air Cargo at SEA
- 417,052 metric tons in 2023 (-8 % decrease over 2022)
- U.S. rank by air cargo volume: #21 in 2023
- North American air cargo volume: #20 in 2023
Aircraft Operations at SEA
- 422,508 takeoffs and landings 2023
- Aircraft operations increased 5.3% from 2022
- Air carrier, 98.7% of total operations
- Air taxi, 1% of entire operations
- 12th busiest U.S. commercial service airport (2023 rank)
Runways
- SEA operates with three category IIIb certified runways using ASR-9 and ASDE-X radars, which reduce congestion and delays:
- 16L/34R - 11,901 feet, concrete/grooved
- 16C/34C - 9,426 feet, concrete/grooved
- 16R/34L - 8,500 feet, concrete/grooved
- Detailed information on SEA Airport is available on the AirNav website
Air Carriers at SEA
Top carriers by passengers (percent of the total):
- Alaska Air Group 52.6%
- Delta 24.3%
- United 5.0%
- Southwest, 4.2%
Top carriers by domestic passengers:
- Alaska Air Group 54.9%
- Delta 24%
- United 5.6%
- Southwest 4.7%
Top carriers by international passengers:
- Delta 26.3%
- Alaska 11.7%
- Air Canada 6%
- EVA 4.2%
- British 4.1%
Destinations
- 35 airlines
- 93 nonstop domestic destinations
- 33 international destinations
- Roughly 70% of the airport’s passengers originate and terminate their itinerary at SEA
History
SEA was developed as a direct response to the World War II Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 when military needs limited civilian access to existing airports. The federal Civilian Aviation Authority sought a local government to develop new regional airport. The Port of Seattle accepted the challenge and selected Bow Lake in southwest King County for the new airfield. Runway construction was completed in 1944, civilian operation began in 1946, and a modern terminal building was dedicated on July 9, 1949.
