September 2, 2025
By Alexa Meyer, Business Intelligence Communications Intern
I used to joke with my friends who were new to Seattle that I was the CEO of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) because it was the airport of my childhood, and I felt like I knew it like the back of my hand. This was before I worked at the Port of Seattle and before I learned just how much I didn’t know about the airport I claimed to be so familiar with. SEA Airport houses so many hidden gems that now make up my favorite things at the airport. Here are five things I didn’t know about SEA until I joined the Port.
#1: An otterly adorable mascot
My colleague Jett the SEA Otter joined the Port in 2024 and has been bringing joy to travelers and employees alike ever since. Jett joins the ranks of Seattle mascot icons Blitz the Seahawk, the Mariner Moose, and Harry the Husky, and is dedicated to bringing a renewed sense of curiosity and excitement to SEA. I deeply admire Jett’s enthusiasm for travel as well and passion for fashion, with aviator goggles and green scarf are a testament to his whimsical and fun-loving personality. Jett’s love for SEA is infectious — whether sitting and watching the planes take off, dancing to music, or eating snacks from our delicious restaurants. Be sure to give Jett a big high five and maybe even a hug (he’s quite soft) next time you spot Jett out and about!
#2: Research upon research
Since joining the Business Intelligence (BI) team, I have had the privilege of editing and reading numerous reports put together by our research team. I had no idea that BI ran so many surveys, but it makes sense that the airport is a goldmine of data and information simply in the sense that thousands of passengers move through it each day. While traveler records and demographic data are great, what really fascinates me is the specific surveys that our team conducts. For example, I love reading the monthly reports from the Passenger Experience Tracking Survey (PETS), the survey that tracks key drivers of customer satisfaction. As a very data driven organization, this survey is important because it connects the Port directly with passenger insights and expectations. This feedback is then taken into account across the Port to build a better overall passenger experience.
The results of this survey are consistently intriguing because of the ability to implement new questions every month depending on the needs of different departments across the Port. For example, in June 2025, our team added a series of questions that examined how many passengers were in the know about the rebrand from Sea-Tac to SEA. The results are intriguing, especially quips from travelers who are reluctant to adopt the name change.
#3: Bookworms unite!
As a certified bookworm, discovering that SEA has not only one but two Little Free Libraries (LFLs) in the terminal was a fantastic discovery. I have always been the biggest fan of LFLs and their overarching goal to make reading accessible for everyone, so finding out that this mission is being carried out in the airport was truly heartwarming. A dedicated team of volunteers manage these LFLs and works hard to maintain a diverse and robust collection of literature to ensure that there are books to suit every traveler’s tastes. Little surprises like these make SEA such a paragon of community and enrichment beyond just the purpose of travel.
#4: A living museum
While I’ve always known SEA houses some breathtaking works of art, I wasn’t aware of just how expansive our collection is. As the first airport in the country to have a public art program, it makes complete sense that every year our collection grows. SEA continues to incorporate more and more museum-quality pieces that span time, movement, and medium. Every time I walk through the terminal, I’m greeted by a new piece I haven’t noticed before. Who needs an art museum when you work at SEA?
My favorite piece has to be Chalchiuhtlicue by Marela Zacarías, the sculpture that lights up the International Arrivals Facility with intense color and vibrancy. I remember returning home from my three-month long study abroad in Rome and being unable to look away from this sculptural love letter to the nature of Washington state as I waited for my bags — in other words, as soon as I saw this piece, I knew I was home. There are hundreds of pieces with equal weight and caliber across the airport — do yourself a favor and stop to marvel at one on the way to your gate!
#5: SEA Pups — the best doggies ever
It is no secret that I am a huge dog person, so when I learned that SEA has their own team of therapy dogs — SEA pups — I was overjoyed. Each dog is such a professional while also maintaining their unique personality as they work with travelers of all ages and backgrounds, which is a result of both their comprehensive training and natural demeanors. As someone who gets very nervous when it comes to flying, the idea of having such peaceful and friendly companions around to help calm down is very comforting. They bring an immense amount of joy to me on any given workday, and I know the work they do with our travelers goes a long way. I highly recommend giving them a solid pet whenever you see them around the terminal — they’re just as excited to meet you!
I’m sure I haven’t even scratched the surface of hidden SEA gems, but that’s part of the joy of working at the airport: there’s always something new to discover!
