Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) anticipates this 12 months may very well be one of many busiest Thanksgiving journey durations within the airport’s historical past, with whole passengers by means of the airport anticipated to be at or barely above 2019 and 11 p.c above 2022 ranges.

Vacationers will discover extra development as nicely. The airport’s Improve SEA program is presently underway with enchancment tasks from curb to gate. Building of a brand new ticketing space and a brand new safety screening checkpoint has spillover impacts in ticketing and baggage declare throughout the airport.

Take pleasure in a lower-stress, extra predictable journey by attempting new know-how like Spot Saver and being versatile if you happen to see development.

SEA continues so as to add new companies to make journey extra accessible and enhance the journey expertise past People with Disabilities Act necessities. Try our SEA Social Story, developed for vacationers with sensory sensitivities comparable to autism but additionally nice for youths. The interactive map on the flySEA app provides accessible route instructions.

The highest tip is at all times to reach on the airport at the least two hours earlier than your boarding time for a home flight and three hours earlier than a global flight. Add additional time if that you must park or examine baggage.

By the numbers

Quantity forecasts point out the busiest Thanksgiving journey days at SEA can be Wednesday, November 22; Sunday, November 26; and Monday, November 27.

• November 22: 156,000 vacationers departing, arriving, and connecting
• November 26: 158,000 vacationers departing, arriving, and connecting
• November 27: 148,000 vacationers departing, arriving, and connecting

Heads as much as early birds and night time owls: A couple of-third of SEA’s each day passenger quantity arrives on the airport earlier than 9:00 a.m., inflicting busy circumstances at TSA safety checkpoints and on the drives. Two extra peak durations happen at 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 9:00-11:00 p.m.

Suggestions for less-stressful vacation journey

• Handle congestion attending to the airport. Drivers headed to the airport curb ought to count on severe congestion in the course of the peak durations. Attempt public transportation, parking, utilizing a taxi or TNC/app-based rideshare or shuttle, or encourage your get together to make use of one type of various transportation. If driving to the curb is your solely possibility, ignore the departures and arrivals indicators. Use the fastest-moving lane and an escalator or elevator contained in the airport to succeed in the proper stage. If parking is your solely possibility, plan on an additional 45-60 minutes to discover a spot. Verify with the Metropolis of SeaTac to see if any highway development tasks would possibly hinder your entry to the airport.
• Pace by means of TSA Screening with your luggage. Join the FREE SEA Spot Saver service to order your time at TSA Screening as early as 5 days earlier than you journey (or while you arrive on the airport). Be certain that to examine along with your airline to see if you happen to qualify for premium screening. Be prepped along with your airline forward of time. Be sure to examine their baggage insurance policies, examine in, and have all their apps downloaded for environment friendly journey. See our greatest baggage suggestions. Vacationers are required to take away any digital gadget bigger than a cellphone from their carry-on baggage. Additionally take away meals and liquids out of your carry-on baggage and put together to carry up your boarding move for evaluate. Evaluate the most recent identification and documentation necessities.
• Obtain the flySEA app. The app consists of an interactive map to search out water refill stations, eating, buying, and different companies. Use the OrderSEA cellular order function to order meals from eating places with out ready in line.
• Pace by means of worldwide arrivals. Worldwide vacationers can obtain the Cell Passport Management app earlier than they depart house. Add your journey particulars as you land again at SEA. Acquire your luggage and go straight to a devoted line within the Worldwide Arrivals Facility. Your complete household can full the customs course of from a single cellular gadget, accessible for U.S. and Canadian residents and people with a inexperienced card.

Keep away from the commonest vacation journey bummers

• Keep secure on SEA escalators. A median of 1 individual falls on an escalator every day at SEA, and one to 2 individuals per week want to hunt medical help. SEA operates virtually 100 escalators, essentially the most of any facility in Washington. Watch a video from the SEA Security Squad for recommendations on maintain you and everybody touring with you secure.
• Lock your automotive and don’t depart valuables in sight. Maintain your baggage and belongings shut always. Go straight to baggage declare after your arrival and name 911 if you happen to see any suspicious exercise.
• Don’t park on the shoulder of the airport drives. Drivers ready to select up arriving airline passengers ought to park briefly in SEA’s reconfigured cellphone lot. Shoulder parking, even briefly, is harmful and unlawful; violators can be cited. Port of Seattle Police are working with the Washington State Patrol on emphasis patrols throughout vacation durations.
• Correctly examine firearms or depart them at house. TSA rules state that vacationers might solely transport ammunition and unloaded firearms in a locked, hard-sided container as checked baggage. Verify your baggage earlier than leaving house to make sure you aren’t touring with firearms, firearm elements, and/or ammunition.

Try extra SEA Airport journey suggestions.  

Contact

Perry Cooper | SEA Airport
(206) 787-4923 | [email protected]