Give yourself plenty of time, the parking will be tight, find other ways to get to SEA
Spring has sprung, and airline travelers are back!
Air travel is close to pre-pandemic levels between now and mid-April. Keep spring in your stride while giving yourself extra time. Parking will be a challenge, and your best option may be to use alternate routes to get to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
in numbers
Spring break travel volumes are expected to reach 80-85% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. That’s close to the busiest day we’ve seen since the pandemic in August last year. For spring break, high volume days are expected throughout each week, and Thursday and Friday are the busiest days. The highest volumes will see up to 140-145,000 passengers per day passing through the airport. Pre-pandemic passenger numbers reached 160,000 per day during the spring of 2019. The SEA expects passenger numbers for this year to be approximately 6% below 2019 levels with a nearly full recovery in 2023 1% lower than in 2019.
It may have been a while since your last trip through the airport, but don’t underestimate how long your experience can take during peak travel periods. Travelers can find stress-free ways to skip the line and make your trip more predictable.
What is the best advice for travelers?
- Come here early! Two hours before boarding time for domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
- Masks are still required at the airport – The federal public transportation mask mandate is valid until April 18, 2022. While local regulations no longer require it, continue to wear your mask over your nose and mouth while traveling. And check the COVID-19 requirements for your destination to enter. Visit XpresCheck If testing is required for your destination, they are available at the baggage claim level.
- SEA Airport parking garage is crowded. Consider alternate ways to travel to the airport or arrive an extra 45 minutes early to find a kiosk
- Use the SEA Spot Saver to reserve your spot in the TSA line and avoid crowded airport security lines.
- Download (or update) the flySEA app for alerts, maps, information, and more.
- Use Order SEA, the mobile ordering service, including food delivery at the gate from across the airport.
Alternate ways to get to SEA Airport
- Avoid the hassles of driving with Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail. Public transportation is by far the best option if you want to stay out of traffic.
- Take a ride using taxis, app-based sharing rides like Uber, Lyft, or other ground transportation.
- Rent your own flight. All car rental companies operate an off-site car rental facility where dedicated shuttle buses carry passengers free of charge 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Pedal power! Yes, you can even bike to the airport using bike racks and two ways to get to the airport on a bike.
- If you still plan to park your car, expect 45-60 minutes to find a booth. Off-site parking facilities are also expected to be very busy or already full.
- If you are picking up or dropping off loved ones:
- Check out our range of new and improved cell phones! The new arrival ramp is a game changer with better flow of entry and exit you can take passengers easily. Use it instead of shoulder parking, which is dangerous and illegal!
- Travel hack! Use the departure drive for nighttime pick-up and the arrival route to drop off passengers in the morning.
Parking at the airport will be a challenge
Why is parking so crowded? Demand goes up and supply goes down. More customers are driving private vehicles rather than choosing ride-sharing or public transportation. Pandemic-related closures reduced the number of parking booths in the area outside the airport while a recent garage and fire improvement project led to temporary cuts to the SEA garage. The shortage of bus drivers also continues to affect the availability of off-site parking options for airport staff.
Safety first, avoid standing shoulders
Vehicles are encouraged to use the new reconfigured mobile phone stand and avoid dangerous situations along the shoulder of airport flights. Violators will be cited as the Seattle Port Police works with the Washington State Patrol for focus patrols during the holiday.
Give me Traveler Essentials
- The CDC’s guidelines for travelers change depending on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Check with your airline for the state or country you plan to fly in.
- Be prepared for security checkpoints. The SEA and TSA want to help you navigate through security checkpoints as quickly as possible. Passengers are required to remove electronic devices larger than the size of a cell phone from their carry-on baggage. Also, remove foods and liquids from your carry-on baggage, prepare to carry your boarding pass for review, and wear your mask. You can also see the latest identification and documentation requirements.
- Need more Travel tricks? Our customer service team has the best advice for navigating SEA like a frequent pilot.
- SEA is adding new services to make travel easier and improve the travel experience beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Check out our SEA Social Story developed for the traveler with sensory sensitivities like autism, but also great general advice for kids. Learn more about accessibility at SEA. The interactive map on the flySEA app provides accessible route directions.
- Check with the City of SeaTac To see if there are any road construction projects that might hinder your arrival at the airport.
call
Perry Cooper | Airport Information Officer SEA
(206) 787-4923 | [email protected]
