Over 600,000 travelers will be going through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport during the Thanksgiving holiday week, with the busiest traffic days when everyone is headed home. It’s not the busiest time of the year (the summer is) but it may feel like it for travelers, so we offer these tips and some numbers for a little context.
Holiday Traffic Numbers
The busiest days for the November holiday season:
- Sunday, Nov. 30 (106,800 passengers), Monday, Dec. 1 (102,300), Wednesday, Nov. 26 (100,900).
- The lowest traffic numbers will be Thursday, Nov. 27 (67,746).
Additional Sea-Tac Airport Traffic Notes:
- An average summer day (June-August) will see over 110,000 passengers and is the peak air travel time for Sea-Tac. August is traditionally the busiest month of the year followed by July, June and May (December is 5th, November 10th).
- For 2014, through September, passenger traffic is up 6.5% over 2013, including a 5.6% rise for international traffic. That trend will result in another record year at Sea-Tac with a projected total over 37 million!
- This is not the busiest time of the year at Sea-Tac, but it can feel like it when you’re here. Why? We don’t have as many overall passengers but we do have a lot of inexperienced travelers who may only fly once or twice a year – inexperience can back up checkpoint lines. Plus, picking up relatives for the holidays means more traffic on the airport drives [see tips below for picking up out-of-town arrivals].
Tips for avoiding congestion on the drives
Sea-Tac continues to make improvements designed to reduce congestion on the airport drives, including better quality signage, use of variable message signs and traffic control by Port of Seattle Police. Of significant note, shuttles for the Rental Car Facility have reduced the number of vehicles on the drive by more than 160,000 each month or about 2 million for the year.
Below are some effective tips for avoiding the congestion:
- THINK OPPOSITE! Pickup on the departure drive, drop-off on the arrivals drive – If traffic is congested, look for the opposite airport drive for relief. Try meeting your arriving guests one level up from baggage claim at the less crowded departure drive. Those with only carry-ons can go straight out the ticketing level. For drop-offs, reverse it. Go to the arrivals drive and travelers only have to go up one level to ticketing. Remember, the busiest times are mornings for departures and evenings for arrivals.
- Don’t get stuck in traffic! -- Park in the airport parking garage on the Terminal Direct floor for only $4 per hour; it’s the quickest and most convenient option for meeting arriving passengers. It’s just a short walk from the main terminal to the parking garage via any connecting skybridge. Or use any other floor for $3 per hour.
- Try the cell phone waiting lot -- Parking in this lot is free and drivers can wait up to 30 minutes until arriving passengers have deplaned, collected luggage and called to be picked up outside of Baggage Claim. Take advantage of the posted QR code to scan for the most recent flight arrival information. Remember, there is no parking or waiting allowed on the airport roadway shoulders.
Save on holiday parking rates
Heading out of town for the holiday? Thanksgiving is one of Sea-Tac's busiest travel periods, so plan ahead and save time by parking in the airport garage. Now through December 7, park for only $18/day or $95/week (up to seven days) in General Parking of airport garage with our free holiday parking coupon. Minimum stay required. Sign-up now to get your coupon from the airport website. Sea-Tac’s parking rates are inclusive of taxes and fees, making the airport garage less expensive than many offsite lots!
What’s New?
- Hear double the number of live northwest musicians from last year! Enjoy this “Best Arrivals Experience” honored by the Future Travel Experience Awards recognizing Sea-Tac Airport’s Experience the City of Music program. Check online for a schedule and get more details about this unique showcase of the region’s music culture, including a Jimi Hendrix exhibit from EMP.
- Our “Flight Path” art and exhibition area is a place to learn about our honeybee hive pollinator project and relax before or after a flight. Location: pre-security, by the concourse B exit.
- Want to escape the busy airport terminal? Visit one of our airport lounges, which are now open to all passengers for a daily rate of $50. Locations: Gate S9 and across from Gate 11.
- For users of electronics, take advantage of 2,400 power outlets attached to seats or at laptop charging counters at gate areas in all concourses. Check out our FREE WiFi throughout the terminal.
- Questions? Lost? Pathfinders, dressed in teal blazers/vests and volunteers, in blue, with blue clipboards, are available seven days a week in the terminal. Three new information kiosks that operate daily are also on the ticketing level and after security in the food court and the lobby to catch a train to the South Satellite.
- Take the Sea-Tac Airport Art Walk for a little exercise and education in public art. The free, self-guided tour takes you ½ mile (one way) through more than 16 permanent art installations and rotating temporary exhibits. QR codes guide your way and provide artistic information.
- Forgot to empty your liquids? At Security Checkpoints 2, 3 & 5, look for the liquid drain and keep your favorite container through security. Then when you get to the other side, refill with one of four water bottle fillers located at A2, A5, before D1 and in the central terminal food court.
- Hawaiian Airlines continues to offer traveler convenience with self-tagging and boarding passes by using the airport’s self-service kiosks, which are located near the international ticket counters.
- Don’t forget other amenities to enjoy your trip -- rocking chairs in Central Terminal, the salmon walk on concourse B, a children’s play area where concourse A and B come together, pet relief areas – and find the talking water fountains. See more under Passengers Services.
- Find out about new concessions options, construction, and news at Sea-Tac Traveler Updates.
General Travel Tips
- Do Some Advance Planning – Confirm your travel details and make sure the name on your boarding pass and your government-issued ID match.
- Pack with Security in Mind – Know what is and isn’t allowed in carry-ons and checked luggage by checking the TSA website. Also see if you qualify for the new TSA PreCheck program.
- Get your Boarding Pass Early – Print it online before you arrive or use convenient check-in kiosks in the airport garage or at airline check-in counters. Passengers with only carry-on baggage can go directly to the security checkpoint. Passengers with luggage can go to airline bag-check points.
- Check the status of your flight online or via email notification – Check our flight status page for updates online or through email alerts.
- Arrive at least two hours before your flight – give yourself time to get through security.
- Park in the Airport Garage – Save time, stay dry and be close. No shuttles, covered skybridges, and you are right next to the terminal.
Traveling Internationally? Sign-up for Global Entry
Frequent international travelers can significantly speed up their clearance process through U.S. Customs and Border Protection by enrolling in Global Entry, an expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. A five-year membership is only $100. Visit the Global Entry website for more information.
Earn Airline Miles When You Park, Dine or Shop
Sea-Tac Airport partners with the Thanks Again loyalty program to offer airline miles when you make a purchase at any of our airport merchants. Enrollment is free and when you register by texting (text FLYSEATAC to 82257) you will receive 100 bonus miles. Register today and earn airline miles for purchases you already make at the airport!
Find more information on these and other travel tips for those heading to the airport or picking up passengers on our website.
About Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA, KSEA) is ranked as the 15th busiest U.S. airport, serving more than 34.8 million passengers and more than 292,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2013. With a regional economic impact of more than $16.3 billion in business revenue, Sea-Tac generates 171,796 jobs (109,924 direct jobs) representing over $2.8 billion in direct earnings and more than $565 million in state and local taxes. Twenty-six airlines serve 77 non-stop domestic and 19 international destinations.
The Port of Seattle is setting the course for the future with the Century Agenda. In 25 years, we will generate 100,000 new jobs and increase international trade and tourism, while protecting the environment with innovative sustainability initiatives. Learn more about how the region’s economic engine will keep powering King County’s economy for years to come!
