# Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

> Seattle, US · 21 km (13 mi) south of downtown Seattle

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/sea
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/sea.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: SEA
- **ICAO**: KSEA
- **Timezone**: America/Los_Angeles
- **Runways**: 3
- **Terminals**: 1
- **Passengers**: 45.9M/yr
- **Worldwide rank**: #41
- **Hub for**: Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines
- **Official site**: https://www.portseattle.org/sea

## Overview

## Welcome

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) feels more like a Pacific Northwest transit hub than a generic mega-hub. It's a strategic blend of Alaska Airlines traffic, local dining options, strong emphasis on public transit, and a commitment to sustainability. However, its compact layout can lead to bottlenecks at security and crowding during peak hours. If you plan well, SEA can be an excellent airport for gourmet exploration and productivity.

## At a glance

Serving approximately 45.9 million passengers annually, SEA is a bustling airport located 21 km south of downtown Seattle. It operates as a hub for both Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, featuring a single terminal — the Main Terminal. The airport connects travelers with a vast number of destinations while offering a slice of the distinct Seattle experience with its local cafes and restaurants.

## Terminals & layout

SEA’s layout includes the Main Terminal with concourses and two satellite terminals. The design can be a challenge due to the long walks required between gates and the need to use the underground train system to reach the satellite terminals. Frequent flyers suggest familiarity helps, as each mistake navigating between concourses can add up to 15 minutes. Alaska Airlines N gate passengers should allow for extra time, and Delta Air Lines uses multiple gates across the Main Terminal.

## Getting to and from the city

Reaching SEA from downtown Seattle is straightforward. The Link light rail offers a budget-friendly option taking 35–40 minutes to connect to downtown, with fares ranging from $2.25 to $3.50. Those opting for a taxi can expect a ride of 20–30 minutes under light traffic for approximately $40, not including tips. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft have variable pricing, often between $35 and $50, depending on traffic.

## Traveller essentials

Parking at SEA is notoriously expensive, with on-site parking rates like Reserved Parking at $30/day. It’s often cheaper to park off-site and ride back via Link light rail. Inside the airport, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR memberships are highly recommended due to common bottlenecks and a less conspicuous, shorter checkpoint near the B gates. Wi-Fi is robust throughout, but bandwidth may be better at the quieter concourse ends.

## Dining & shopping highlights

SEA is a paradise for food lovers. Beecher's Handmade Cheese in the Central Terminal is iconic for its mac and cheese. For plant-forward dining, Floret by Café Flora offers a full-service vegetarian experience, a rarity at airports. Concourse A’s Africa Lounge is celebrated for its laid-back vibe and local beers. Shopping options include Seattle-focused stores like Made in Washington, which offer local coffee and chocolates worth bringing home.

## Lounges

Frequent flyers can relax in seven lounges at SEA. Notable among them are the Alaska Lounge, Delta Sky Club, and the British Airways Terraces Lounge located in the S concourse. The Club at SEA also serves as a multi-airline common access lounge for Priority Pass members, offering a quiet retreat from the bustling terminal areas.

## Insider tips

- **Insider:** For Alaska flights, leave the Central Terminal 25–30 minutes before boarding at N to avoid rushing.

- **Time:** Opt for the less-obvious TSA checkpoint near the B gates for shorter lines, even at peak times.

- **Money:** Parking off-site and using Link light rail often beats the cost of SEA’s pricey on-site parking.

- **Avoid:** Most food options at S and N satellites lack the variety and quality of those in the Central Terminal.

- **Quiet:** Quiet work corners can be found at the far ends of Concourse A and D with power outlets and fewer crowds.

- **Insider:** Watch for same-day gate changes—stay near the central spine until your gate is confirmed.

- **Local:** Pick up unique Seattle gifts like local coffee and smoked salmon at the smaller shops in the Central Terminal.

- **Quiet:** For a peaceful pre-flight drink or meal, Pike & Pine in the Central Terminal is a hidden gem.

## Terminals (3)

- **Main Terminal** — Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines
  The Main Terminal is the heart of SEA Airport.
- **North Satellite Terminal**
  Satellite terminal serving N gates.
- **South Satellite Terminal**
  Satellite terminal serving S gates.

## Dining (52)

- **Africa Lounge** — A · $$
- **Alki Bakery** — Main Terminal · Bakery · Café · $$
- **Anthony's Restaurant** — $$
- **Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen** — $$
- **Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar (Concourse C)** — Main Terminal · Vietnamese restaurant & bar · $$
- **Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar (Main Terminal)** — Main Terminal · Vietnamese restaurant & bar · $$
- **Beecher's Handmade Cheese** — Central Terminal · $$
- **BrewTop Social** — Main Terminal · American · Bar & grill · $$
- **Caffé D'arte** — Concourse A · Coffee · Café · $$
- **Camden Food Co** — $$
- **Capitol Hill Food Hall** — Concourse A · Food hall · Casual dining · $$
- **Cordova** — Main Terminal · Mexican restaurant & bar · $$
- **Costa Coffee** — Concourse N · Coffee · Café · $$
- **Dilettante Chocolates & Mocha Cafe** — Main Terminal · Coffee · Chocolate café · $$
- **Dish D'Lish** — $$
- **Dungeness Bay Seafood House** — Main Terminal · Seafood restaurant · $$$
- **Duty Free Food & Drink** — South Satellite Terminal · duty-free retail/food
- **Evergreens** — Main Terminal · Salad & grain bowl shop · $$
- **Floret by Café Flora** — Concourse A · Vegetarian · Casual dining · $$
- **Floret by Cafe Flora** — A · $$
- **Floret Grab & Go** — Main Terminal · Grab-and-go · $$
- **Great American Bagel Bakery** — Concourse N · Bakery · Sandwiches · $$
- **Hachi-ko** — Main Terminal · Asian fusion & ramen · $$
- **Locos Tacos** — North Satellite Terminal · Mexican fast-casual · $
- **Lucky Louie Fish Shack** — Central Terminal · $$
- **Lulu Market & Bar** — Main Terminal · Market & bar · $$
- **Manchu Wok** — Main Terminal · Chinese fast food · $
- **McDonald's** — B · $
- **Mountain Room Bar** — Main Terminal · Bar · $$
- **MVP Sports Bar**
- **Ninth & Pike Artisan Kitchen** — Main Terminal · American restaurant · $$
- **P.F. Chang's** — North Satellite Terminal · Asian bistro · $$
- **Pallino Pastaria** — $$
- **Panda Express** — $
- **Pike & Pine**
- **Poke to the Max** — $$
- **Qdoba** — Concourse B · Mexican · Fast casual · $$
- **QDOBA Mexican Eats** — $
- **Relish Burger Lounge** — B · $$
- **Seattle Beer Union** — Main Terminal · Bar · $$
- **Seattle Seahawks 12 Club** — Concourse N · Sports bar · American · $$
- **Skillet** — N · $$
- **Starbucks** — $
- **Starbucks (Central Terminal)** — Main Terminal · Coffee shop · $
- **Starbucks (Concourse A)** — Main Terminal · Coffee shop · $
- **Starbucks (Concourse B)** — Main Terminal · Coffee shop · $
- **Starbucks (Concourse C)** — Main Terminal · Coffee shop · $
- **Subway** — C · $
- **The Hop Over** — Main Terminal · Bar · $$
- **Vending** — Vending · Snacks · $
- **Waji's** — $$
- **Wendy's** — North Satellite Terminal · Fast-food burger chain · $

## Lounges (15)

- **Alaska Lounge** — North Satellite N, Alaska
- **Alaska Lounge (Concourse C)** — Main Terminal · Alaska Lounge members, One-day pass purchase for eligible passengers, Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald on qualifying itineraries · $65
- **Alaska Lounge (Concourse D)** — Main Terminal · Alaska Lounge members, One-day pass purchase for eligible passengers, Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald on qualifying itineraries · $65
- **British Airways Terraces Lounge** — S · South Satellite S
- **Centurion Lounge** — Central Terminal · American Express Centurion cardmembers, Eligible Amex premium cardholders
- **Delta One Lounge** — Main Terminal · Delta One passengers on eligible international and transcontinental flights
- **Delta Sky Club** — Concourse A, Delta
- **Delta Sky Club (A1)** — Main Terminal · Delta Sky Club members, SkyTeam Elite Plus flying internationally, Delta One and eligible premium-cabin passengers, One-time access via eligible credit cards
- **Delta Sky Club (A11)** — Main Terminal · Delta Sky Club members, SkyTeam Elite Plus flying internationally, Delta One and eligible premium-cabin passengers, One-time access via eligible credit cards
- **Emirates Lounge** — South Satellite S
- **The Club at SEA** — S · South Satellite S, Priority Pass
- **The Club at SEA (Concourse A)** — Main Terminal · Priority Pass, LoungeKey, Day pass purchase, Select business and first-class tickets · $50
- **United Club** — Concourse A, United
- **USO Center** — Main Terminal pre-security
- **USO Lounge** — Central Terminal · Active military

## Shops (45)

- **Brookstone** — Concourse C · Gadgets · Gifts
- **Chico's** — Main Terminal · Women’s apparel
- **Coach**
- **DFS Duty Free**
- **Dilettante Chocolates & Mocha Cafe** — Main Terminal · Snacks · Coffee · Gifts
- **Discover Puget Sound** — Main Terminal · Gifts & souvenirs
- **Duty Free Americas** — Concourse A · Duty-free
- **Duty Free (Concourse A)** — Main Terminal · Duty-free
- **Elliott Bay Book Company**
- **ExOfficio**
- **Fireworks**
- **Fireworks Gallery** — Main Terminal · Art & gifts
- **Gift shop** — South Satellite Terminal · retail
- **Hudson**
- **Hudson (Central Terminal)** — Main Terminal · Travel essentials & convenience
- **Hudson (Gate B6)** — Main Terminal · Travel essentials & convenience
- **Hudson News** — Central Terminal · Newsstand · Books · Travel essentials
- **InMotion** — Main Terminal · Electronics
- **InMotion Entertainment**
- **MAC Cosmetics** — Main Terminal · Cosmetics
- **Made in Washington**
- **Natalie's Candy Jar** — North Satellite Terminal · Candy and snacks shop
- **PCC Quick Stop**
- **Pike and Pine Marketplace**
- **Pike & Pine** — Main Terminal · Gifts & apparel
- **Planewear** — Main Terminal · Aviation apparel & gifts
- **Regalo** — Main Terminal · Gifts & accessories
- **Relay** — Concourse N · Convenience · Travel essentials
- **SeaPop Culture** — North Satellite Terminal · Souvenir and gift shop
- **Seattle Chocolates**
- **Seattle Duty Free**
- **Seattle Gift** — Concourse A · Souvenirs
- **Spanx**
- **Stonehenge** — Main Terminal · Jewelry & accessories
- **Sub Pop**
- **Sunglass Hut** — Concourse A · Accessories · Sunglasses
- **Swarovski** — Main Terminal · Jewelry & accessories
- **Tech on the Go** — Concourse B · Electronics · Accessories
- **The Body Shop**
- **The New Stand** — Main Terminal · Lifestyle & convenience
- **The Seattle Marketplace** — Concourse D · Souvenirs · Local products
- **The Seattle Shop** — Concourse N · Souvenirs · Gifts
- **The Travel Store** — Concourse A · Travel essentials
- **Travel + Leisure**
- **Welcome to Seattle** — Central Terminal · Souvenirs · Gifts

## Parking (15)

- **Accessible Parking**
- **Economy Parking** — Long-term surface lot
- **Electric Vehicle Parking**
- **Extended Stay Parking**
- **General Parking** — Short stay · $37.00/day, $8.00/hr · 0.3 mi
- **General Parking Garage** — Garage · On-airport
- **MasterPark** — Off-site valet parking
- **Park N Fly** — Off-site lot
- **Parking Garage A** — Garage · On-airport
- **Parking Garage B** — Garage · On-airport
- **Parking Garage C** — Garage · On-airport
- **Reserved Parking** — Long stay · $30/day · next to terminal
- **Terminal Direct Parking** — Short-term garage
- **Valet Parking** — Curbside valet
- **WallyPark** — Off-site covered parking

## Ground transport (17)

- **Amtrak Thruway Bus** — Intercity coach
- **BoltBus** — Intercity coach via downtown c
- **Greyhound** — Intercity coach via nearby sto
- **Hotel Shuttle** — Shuttle · Varies · Varies by hotel
  Use designated shuttle zones for pickup and drop-off. Many nearby hotels run airport shuttles.
- **King County Metro Bus** — Bus · Varies by route · $2.75 · Varies by route
  Bus service serves the airport from the ground transportation area. Route details depend on destination.
- **King County Metro RapidRide A Line** — Bus · 10-25 min for typical SeaTac–Des Moines/nearby segments · $2.75 (adult one-zone Metro fare) · Every 10-20 min most of day · 24/7 with reduced late-night service
- **King County Metro Route 156** — Bus · 20-35 min SeaTac–Southcenter depending on stops · $2.75 (adult Metro fare) · Roughly every 30 min weekdays · reduced evenings/weekends · no late-night service
- **Link light rail** — Airport to downtown Seattle · 35-40 min SeaTac/Airport–downtown · $2.25-3.50 · Every 8-15 min · roughly 5am–1am
- **Lyft** — Rideshare · 40-80
- **Rental Car Shuttle** — Shuttle · 15-20 min · Frequent
  Connects the airport with the consolidated rental car facility. Travelers use this for all on-airport rental brands.
- **Rideshare** — Rideshare · 25-35 min to downtown Seattle · $35-55 · On demand
  Pickup areas are assigned in the airport's ground transportation zone. App-based rides are widely used for downtown and suburban trips.
- **Shuttle Express** — Shared shuttle
- **Sound Transit Route 560** — Bus to West Seattle and Bellev · 30-60 min depending on origin (West Seattle/Renton–SEA) · $2.75-3.25 (Sound Transit zone-based) · Roughly every 30 min weekdays · reduced evenings/weekends
- **Sound Transit Route 574** — Bus to Tacoma · 40-60 min SeaTac–Tacoma Dome Station depending on traffic · $3.25 (adult ST Express fare for longer trips) · Roughly every 30 min most of the day · reduced late-night
- **Taxi** — Taxi · 25-35 min to downtown Seattle · $45-60 · On demand
  Available from the airport's taxi ranks and ground transportation area. Fares vary with traffic and time of day.
- **Uber** — Rideshare · 20-40 min SEA–downtown depending on traffic (user reported) · 35-50
- **Yellow Cab** — Taxi · 20-30 min SEA–downtown in light traffic (user reported) · 40 plus tip · On-demand from airport taxi queue during flight operating hours

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: For Alaska flights, leave the Central Terminal 25–30 minutes before boarding at N to avoid rushing.
- _Time_: Opt for the less-obvious TSA checkpoint near the B gates for shorter lines, even at peak times.
- _Money_: Parking off-site and using Link light rail often beats the cost of SEA’s pricey on-site parking.
- _Avoid_: Most food options at S and N satellites lack the variety and quality of those in the Central Terminal.
- _Quiet_: Quiet work corners can be found at the far ends of Concourse A and D with power outlets and fewer crowds.
- _Insider_: Watch for same-day gate changes—stay near the central spine until your gate is confirmed.
- _Local_: Pick up unique Seattle gifts like local coffee and smoked salmon at the smaller shops in the Central Terminal.
- _Quiet_: For a peaceful pre-flight drink or meal, Pike & Pine in the Central Terminal is a hidden gem.