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Sea-Tac Airport's Noise Abatement programs were developed through joint airport and community planning efforts. These programs were created to reduce the noise produced by aircraft while on the ground, during takeoffs and landings, and during flights over populated areas.
Noise Abatement programs stem from the Port of Seattle’s Federal Aviation Regulation (F.A.R) Part 150 Noise and Land Use Study. The Study is updated typically every few years. Any changes to established noise programs, including adding and closing programs are done with the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the Part 150. Learn more about the latest Part 150 study.
Fly Quiet is a family of noise abatement programs encouraging airlines and pilots to operate aircraft as quietly as possible
Sea-Tac’s Noise Program Office monitors and tracks airline performance and compliance. Each year "Fly Quiet" awards are presented to the quietest airline and an honorable mention given to the second quietest airline. Learn more.
Aircraft always depart heading into the wind. So whether an airplane departs to the north (north flow) or the south (south flow) depends on wind conditions. During clear weather in the Puget Sound region, winds tend to flow out of the north necessitating departures to the north. Cloudy or overcast days usually mean take offs to the south. Given our northwest climate, Sea-Tac Airport operates in south flow about 65% of the year.
| Sample of North Flow (Jets) | Sample of South Flow (Jets) |
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| Flight Track Map Information (Jets) (155 KB PDF) | |
| Flight Track Map Information (Props) (170 KB PDF) | |
Noise Abatement Procedures are specific flight headings and altitudes for airplanes designed to minimize noise over surrounding communities. Several years ago, the FAA in cooperation with the Port of Seattle and local communities established the procedures to take advantage of existing geographical and compatible land use conditions wherever possible. For example, the Duwamish Industrial Area, Elliott Bay and the Puget Sound provide opportunities for aircraft to fly over non-residential areas.
Although the FAA has sole authority over aircraft in flight, the Port of Seattle has taken the lead responsibly for monitoring and report jet air traffic activities in regards to noise abatement procedures. This information is used to track trends and identify problem areas.
The Port of Seattle has a state-of-the-art flight track monitoring system. This system collects and stores flight data from the FAA’s automated radar terminal system, which enables staff to regularly monitor noise abatement procedures and investigate citizen inquiries.
In addtition to this system, the Port also provides WebTrak, which enables the public to investigate flights via the Web.
Visit WebTrak
Instructions (405 KB PDF)
The Port of Seattle owns and operates 25 permanent noise monitors. The noise monitoring system measures noise levels from individual aircraft and keeps track of operations over time. As data from the monitors is accumulated and analyzed, a history of noise levels is maintained so changes can be noted and trends identified.
The quarterly reports list noise events by noise monitoring location for each day.
The reports list the Sound Exposure Level (SEL) for each aircraft type that flies over every Sea-Tac noise monitoring terminal.
One of the noise concerns of residents living near Sea-Tac Airport is noise caused by engine maintenance run-ups. In response, Sea-Tac Airport has established Engine Maintenance Run-ups (30 KB PDF) guidelines in order to minimize the noise impact of run-ups on the community.
The Noise Programs office monitors engine run-ups, records and tracks airlines that have violated the run-up procedures. See list of Engine Run-up Violations for 2006 - 2008 (19 KB PDF)
Residents can request information or report aircraft noise through our on-line Noise Information Request form. Or contact the Noise Abatement office by calling 206-787-5393 or toll-free 1-800-826-1147, day or night.
To improve compliance, these reports are reviewed with the FAA.
