June 29, 2026
Whether you're heading out on vacation, traveling for business, or welcoming friends and family to the Pacific Northwest, exciting changes at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) are sure to make your journey a little easier and efficient.
The moment you walk through the doors, you’ll notice a transformation of the north main terminal — part of the recently completed SEA Gateway Project, creating a smoother, more comfortable journey from curb to gate. The project is one of the largest completed under Upgrade SEA, the Port of Seattle's ongoing effort to modernize the airport and improve the travel experience for millions of passengers each year.
As our region continues to grow and welcome visitors from around the world, these upgrades help SEA provide a more efficient, accessible, and welcoming experience for everyone.
A brighter, more welcoming arrival
For many travelers, SEA is their first impression of the Pacific Northwest. The SEA Gateway Project was designed to make that first impression count.
New floor-to-ceiling window walls bring more natural light into the terminal, creating brighter and more inviting spaces in the often-cloudy PNW. That light plays off the crisp, white terrazzo flooring and reflects eight brilliant and colorful new art pieces spread out between the Ticketing, Bridge, and Baggage Claim levels. Door portals boast a more modern look and feel, larger door number signage, and accessible ramps. The open-space environment makes it easy to navigate from check-in, through security, to the rest of your travel journey.
Easier check-in and bag drop
If you’re flying Alaska Airlines, get ready for an updated check-in experience in the upgraded space! New self-service Automated Bag Drop technology is installed to help check bags quickly and efficiently before heading to security. Combined with mobile check-in and self-service bag tagging options, the new system is designed to streamline the beginning of your journey.
If you prefer personal assistance, you can still receive help from Customer Service Agents throughout the process. The project also added new check-in and bag drop locations near the airport garage skybridges, helping you move more efficiently from parking to security during busy travel periods.
More comfortable spaces for everyone
The SEA Gateway Project created new usable spaces within the airport’s existing footprint, revealing over 24,000 square feet for offices and ticket counters on a new Bridge Level between the Ticketing and Baggage Claim levels, and included several upgrades focused on accessibility, comfort, and convenience.
You can now enjoy:
- Improved accessible entrances on both the Arrivals and Departures drives
- Modernized check-in areas
- Updated restrooms that include a Nursing Room and a Companion Care Restroom with an adult changing table
- Lighter, brighter Baggage Claim Level with new or updated bag claim devices
- Artwork on every level
These enhancements support a more comfortable experience for travelers of all ages and abilities.
A smoother path through security
Security screening is one of the most important parts of the airport journey, and this project included significant improvements to help you move through the process more comfortably.
The redesigned Security Checkpoint 6 offers more space and an improved post-screening area, allowing room to gather belongings and prepare for the next step of the journey.
The project also complements other recent airport improvements, including the opening of Checkpoint 1, which added five lanes and about 2,000 square feet of queuing space to accommodate travelers. Together, these investments help SEA better serve growing traveler volumes while reducing congestion during peak travel periods.
Preparing to welcome the world
SEA continues to see record demand for travel and offers an expanding list of international destinations. New routes and more people traveling through the airport reflect the popularity of the Pacific Northwest as both a place to visit and a place to call home.
The SEA Gateway Project helps prepare SEA for that future by creating more efficient spaces equipped with modern technology, improving accessibility, and making the airport easier to navigate for travelers from around the world.
Whether you're departing on your next adventure or arriving in Seattle for the first time, these upgrades are designed to make your experience more seamless from the moment you enter the terminal.
More improvements ahead
The SEA Gateway Project is just one milestone in the larger Upgrade SEA program. Additional projects including the newly opened C Concourse Expansion and the future S Concourse Evolution project, as well as roadway improvements and terminal enhancements are continuing across the airport to support future growth while improving your experience today.
Note: This blog was adapted using AI from SEA’s article in International Airport Review
