Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is increasing our public information campaign during the holiday season and asking you to come prepared to comply with healthy travel measures if you’re headed home for the holidays on a trip that couldn’t wait.
FlyHealthy@SEA is our layered, comprehensive action plan to ensure your health and well-being while traveling. We require face coverings and physical distancing, boosted cleaning and disinfecting activities, and added more touchless technologies.
Be informed and ready with these travel tips and resources. Please contact your airline if you have questions about that part of your journey.
Travel guidance
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Governor Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington state to avoid non-essential travel beyond work and study and travelers arriving from out-of-state should self-quarantine for 14 days. This advisory applies to all non-essential travel.
- The CDC recommends against travel for winter holidays.
Before you travel
- TSA travel tips for the holidays cover what should and should not be packed in your carry on luggage.
- Security checkpoint lines look longer but waits are not. Due to physical distancing, lines fill up faster as six-foot separations reduce queuing by up to 75%. Lines move faster than they look.
- TSA PreCheck® Travel with Ease: TSA reminds you to enroll in TSA PreCheck® today, for next year’s travels. Benefit from fewer touchpoints to make your return to the skies as seamless and stress-free as possible. TSA PreCheck® travelers do not need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids or food. Enroll today at tsa.gov and travel with ease.
- Use Pre-Booked Parking as an option for contact-free travel. Pre-Booked Parking allows you to book and pay for airport parking in advance of arrival. Drive your own vehicle and scan your booking QR code on your phone at garage entry and exit.
- You may consider a COVID-19 test before flying, especially if traveling to destinations with quarantines. Travelers seeking a COVID-19 test at the airport can make an appointment with Discovery Health MD.
- Read the FAQs to understand the test options at SEA with Discovery Health MD. For questions specific to testing through Discovery Health MD, please contact them directly on their website, by email at testing@discoveryhealthmd.com, or by phone at (206) 333-0595.
At the Airport
- Expect to wear a facial covering for the duration of your journey, wash or sanitize your hands frequently, and honor physical distancing. We continue to prioritize traveler safety, health and well-being with protocols, including masks, medical grade cleaning, plastic protective barriers and signage.
- SEA implemented the new COVID-19 health measures outlined in guidance from Washington state Governor Inslee for a statewide set of restrictions through Jan. 4, in response to the recent rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in the state and across the country.
Airport Dining and Retail
- Eat and shop with confidence because airport restaurants and retailers are also going above and beyond to protect your health and well-being. Watch this video to feel the feels.
- Due to current statewide dining and retail restrictions, only to-go food options are available and there are no alcohol sales.
- Most business are open. Retail shops are operating at 25% occupancy.
- Well-spaced and regularly cleaned tables and chairs are available for “grab and go” dining throughout the airport, including in the Central Terminal. Otherwise, travelers will need to eat and drink in gate areas or various seating throughout the airport concourses.
- As you can see, it’s our highest priority to help keep you healthy. But we also want to create moments of cheer for you at the airport. Our restaurants and retailers are offering holiday menus and seasonal treats. Explore our holiday gift guide for last-minute gift ideas.
SEAson of Caring
- Our team is stepping up the holiday cheer while protecting your health. Keep an eye out for festive store fronts or gate areas throughout the airport celebrating the spirit of Pacific Northwest winter. From December 17-24 you may spot employees in festive attire during “Ugly Sweater Week,” and watch for the SEA elf in the airport bearing sweet treats.
- Check out our new SEA Social Story developed for travelers with sensory sensitivities such as autism, but also great overall tips for kids.
- In November SEA passengers, employees, and community members donated 12 bins of non-perishable food items to benefit the South King County Food Bank Coalition in coordination with the Des Moines Food Bank.
More resources
- More on FlyHealthy@SEA
- COVID-19 Status Updates at SEA Airport
- COVID-19 FAQs at SEA Airport
- Information changes rapidly. Keep up with us on social media with #FlyHealthySEA. Our customer care team is here to answer your questions. Tweet or DM us with a question.
