SeaTac Airport Travel Tips – 5 Things You Will Want to Know When Using This Seattle Airport

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SeaTac Airport Travel Tips – 5 Tips You Will Want to Know When Using This Seattle Airport

If you are flying in or out of the Seattle Airport, you will likely be going through the SeaTac Airport, which stands for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. There is a second airport, called Paine Field out in Everett, but the SeaTac Airport is still the major Seattle Airport, and the one that most people fly in and out of from the Seattle area. It has undergone several remodels, making it much nicer over the years. Whether this is your home airport or you are flying in and out of it for the first time, we have compiled some of our best tips for navigating it. It is our home airport, so we have made many trips in and out of it over the years, and these are the things we think others might want to know when traveling through the SeaTac Airport.

The first thing you will want to do is download the FLYSea App on your phone, so you can access the Airport Maps and other features to make your trip more convenient. In addition to being prepared with the app, here are a few more things we think you will want to know, as having a tip or two in your back pocket will make navigating SeaTac Airport easier. You should find a map of the airport terminal in the app, and you can also download one here.

Transportation & Parking

Transportation and parking will be the first things you need to know about getting to and from this airport in Seattle. We go into quite a bit of depth on this topic in our SeaTac Airport parking & transportation article. You will find lots of tips on parking and transportation options for the airport, like:

• How to Get Coupons for Parking Onsite
• How to Save More by Parking Offsite
• Park & Fly Packages at local Hotels
• Stay and Fly packages – these are fun if you want to extend your vacation, and work really well if you have early morning flights.
• We also share some of our favorite hotels to stay at in the SeaTac area, if you are looking for recommendations on that.

Here is a general tip, if you are getting dropped off or picked up, that will make transportation to the airport more convenient.

Reverse your drop-off and pick-up orders.

One of the most convenient and affordable ways to get to the airport is to have someone drop you off, or to pick you up. Traffic can get pretty congested during peak travel times, so one tip that has often worked well for me is to reverse drop-off and pick-up orders. By that I mean, when you are dropping someone off at the airport, head to the arrival area (versus the departures) and vice versa (so head to departures for pick up rather than arrivals). This can work particularly well during peak travel times, so that often means drop-off in the arrivals area for morning flights when many people are flying out, and picking up at the departures area in the evening, when more flights are arriving at the airport.

 

Getting Through Security

The recommended arrival times for the SeaTac Airport are to get there two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. I typically like to follow these recommendations, especially for vacation flights, as I don’t like to feel stressed on vacation, and we can always get something to eat before a flight. However, there are some tips in terms of how to get through security checkpoints the quickest.

The SeaTac Airport offers both TSA PreCheck and Clear checkpoints if you are a member of either of those. If you are looking for the SeaTac Airport TSA wait times, or Clear wait times, you can check those here. You will find the Clear and TSA Pre-Check checkpoint locations and times they are open here (or sign up for a free 2-month membership for Clear here).

If you do not have TSA or Clear, use Spot Saver.

Spot Saver

Spot Saver is my personal favorite way to skip the long security lines at SeaTac – and it is completely FREE to use. I have been using it for years, and it has helped us move very quickly through security lines. The way it works is that you will head to the Spot Savers site online here, reserve the time that you want to go through security, and at which checkpoint. Then, when it’s time for your reservation, show up at that checkpoint, and you can skip long lines and head through security.

Important things to know about Spot Saver:

• You can reserve your spot up to 5 days prior to your flight. The sooner you do this, the better, as spots can fill up, and if you wait too long, there may be nothing available to book. I highly recommend reserving it early, rather than waiting until the last minute.
• You will need your flight information to book your spot (flight number, date, and destination)
• You only need to book Spot Saver for yourself (or one person in your party), and then you will be able to add those traveling with you to that same reservation.
• You will need to select your checkpoint when you reserve your spot, so it is a good idea to have the app downloaded so you know where you are reserving your spot. This is also important, as when you get to the airport, you will want to go to an entrance closest to that checkpoint instead of being dropped off or heading to the area your airline is located (which is how most people are dropped off – they tell the party dropping them off what airline they are flying with). This is important, as you could end up walking quite a way to your checkpoint if you go to the airline instead of the checkpoint area – and this may put your reservation in jeopardy if it takes you too long to get to your checkpoint.
• You will want to have your spot reservation ready to show on your phone, or printed out, as this is how you gain access to Spot Saver. They send you a QR code via email, and that QR code is what gets you access.
• You can enter the Spot Saver line up to 15 minutes before your reservation time, and 15 minutes after your reservation time.
• If you miss your reservation time, or you did not make a reservation, you will find signs for Spot Saver in the airport and can scan that QR code to see if there are any current reservation times available to grab. This is risky though, as the spots may be all gone the longer you wait (so I highly recommend making your reservation as soon as you can, especially for peak travel times).

Disability Support

If you have a disability, you may already know about these options, but if you are traveling through SeaTac with a disability for the first time, or you have a temporary disability (like a broken foot), you may not be aware of these services that can save you quite a bit of time and trouble getting through security. SeaTac offers a number of services to support various disabilities, from Wheelchair access to sensory rooms. Find the details on all of those programs, specifically the SeaAccess program, here. You will also find another great resource on what is available for all different kinds of support needs at the airport on the Visit Seattle page here.

One option that many might not know about is the TSA Cares Helpline: Call (855) 787-2227. My daughter broke her foot one year, just a few days before we had a spring break trip planned, and when I called the airline we were traveling with to let them know about the scooter she was using, they recommended we call this line for support. We were able to schedule an arrival time, and a TSA specialist met us at the entrance and guided us through security. We were able to bypass all lines with them getting us through, and it made traveling with a scooter and her on a broken foot so much easier than I anticipated. I highly recommend calling this service if you have a special need to see if they might be able to provide assistance in that process.

Lastly, another great tip is to use the app to check the wait time for each checkpoint – as they will list them out there (and it’s the easiest way to access them in the airport). They do also share them online here. This is a good backup plan if you do not have one of the prescheduled options listed above booked. For example, they have added a new Checkpoint 1, which you will find on the lower baggage claim level (so a different level than the other checkpoints) at the south end. Since this sits on a completely different level than the other security gates, many people are not aware that it is there, and it often has shorter lines as a result. This is a particularly good option for international flights going out of the S & A gates. You should be able to use any checkpoint at SeaTac Airport to get to any gate you might be flying out of (although some checkpoints will be a much longer walk to some airline gates), but if their security lines are much shorter, it might be worth it. This is where a little planning with the app can help you.

Dining at the Airport

The SeaTac Airport provides plenty of options for food and drink (over 45 spots last I checked). This Seattle Airport is known to have some better-than-usual dining options, so a little planning will go a long way if you want a good meal. You will want to wait until you get through security to access most of the good dining options. You will find everything from sit-down restaurants to food court-style dining.

A couple of quick tips to know:

• None of the SeaTac airport restaurants take reservations.
• The restaurants in the Central terminal can be the busiest, as they are the first ones most see right past the main security areas (and have some of the more popular restaurants).
• You can use the app to order ahead at some locations. You will find this option in the FLYSea app. It should show you the restaurants offering this, and where they are located (and how long until you can pick your food up). Then you will place your order, and skip the lines by grabbing your food at the pick up window when ready.

Here are some recommendations for spots my family has enjoyed at this Seattle Airport.

Using Airport Lounges

If I am feeding my family, the airport lounges are some of my favorite spots (if you have access to them). Although you can get some tasty food, it will cost you.  Because of this, the airport lounges are one of my favorite ways to enjoy food and drink before a trip. Find a list of the airport lounges at SeaTac, and their locations here. 

We have shared how we use credit cards to get access to the lounges, but you can get a membership through Priority Pass into the lounges, or buy day passes into the Club at SEA (SeaTac Airport’s two airport-specific lounges) onsite at the lounges themselves.

Dining Options By Gate Area

The Central terminal is the right after the main security checkpoints, and is a hub of dining spots, including a food court. It can be busier, as it is the first spot many come across.

It has Salty’s if you want a nicer sit-down restaurant, or the Brew Top Social sits above Salty’s if you want another sit-down option in this area. Dillatantes can be fun if you like more of a dessert coffee (try the Ephemere Mocha!).

A, B, C and D Gates

• Florets is a popular vegetarian spot that works well for A and B gates, and is probably the most recommended spot in this area. Even non-vegetarians like myself often love this spot, as they use fresh, organic items, making for some tasty options.
• If I want a spot to land where I do not have to fight as many crowds, in the A gate area, I usually head to the Capital Hill Food Hall. It’s not that this is high-end food, but I can usually find a spot to sit easily (without as many crowds), so I like that. It also works well when I am traveling with my kids, and I can get a cup of chowder, and the kids can get a slice of pizza – everyone is happy, and we are all planted in one spot.
• The C gate has recently been expanded, so I have not been to some of these spots – as many are recently opened- but they do have a Skillet location, Nanny’s BBQ, and Great State Burgers, which seem to get good reviews. I am looking forward to trying Ninth and Pike, so let me know if you have been there and what you thought.

N & S Gates – Satellite Terminals (where you take a shuttle to reach)

• Skillet started as street food, and now has two locations at the airport (both N and C gates), and they offer a popular all-day brunch menu.
• Beechers is always a spot we love, and they have moved to a new spot in the N gate. Their grilled cheese and their mac and cheese are popular menu items, but personally I like to grab a wedge of cheese and some crackers

Cheaper Eats in the Airport

Dining in the airport can definitely add up, so if you do not have access to one of the lounges with free food and drink, here are some options that you might find more budget-friendly:

• You will find various fast food dining options, like McDonald’s or Quoda, that will be the most affordable. You can also grab a single slice of pizza at Pallinos.
• While you will not find traditional Happy Hours in the airport, the Neighborhood Cafe does offer a happy hour menu option in the morning, called the AM Pick Me Up – where you can get a breakfast sandwich or egg bits, plus an orange juice for $10.50 (check online to make sure it’s still available when you visit).

Find more of the SeaTac Airport dining options here.

Traveling with Kids

The Cobbs Popcorn Kiosk near the A gates can make a fun stop with kids. Beyond a treat, there are some fun play areas, or other spots that might be useful to know about when traveling through the airport with kids.

You will find a Kids Play Area near the A gates if you want to let them get some wiggles out. This is a great spot for families with young kids to stop, as they also have a nursing room and family bathroom in this area. And you will find a Little Free Library sitting out in front, if you want to have story time. You will also find vending machines with supplies like diapers and wipes near the Kids Play area

At the A Train level, you will find a sensory room, so if your kids are feeling overstimulated by the hustle and bustle of the airport, this might be a good spot to unwind in a quiet area.

Things to Do at the SeaTac Airport for Layovers, or Getting There Early

Do you have a long layover, or plan to get there extra early for a flight, and are looking for some things to do? Here are some ideas on how to spend some extra time at this airport.

Things to do at this Seattle area airport:

• Enjoy FREE retro arcade games at Sky Gamerz in the N course. It is a neon-themed spot that also offers food and drink for purchase, but you can play free video games like Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, and more retro games, making it a fun option to pass some time at the airport.
• Pay for a one-day lounge pass if you do not already have access. This option is going to work best if you are traveling with one or two people (it will add up for a family).
  • You can do this when you are there at the two Sea-Tac Lounges
  • Or grab one online at Priority Pass
• The N concourse has been recently expanded, and so can be a fun area to spend extra time, with the larger atrium look and lots of bright light. Its also where you find lots of the art exhibitions and live music.
• Enjoy some live music. Music schedule at the airport
• The observation deck – The Lookout at C (concourse C)
• Enjoy an Airport Art Walk, with over 100 art installations throughout the airport. Check out the Interactive Map to enjoy a self-guided tour.

Looking for an idea for a really long layover – 5+ hours (where you might want to leave the airport)? Check these out:

• If you want to get outside of the airport, but stay nearby, check out our Seattle Southside Guide for Families – Fun for any Season.
• Or, if you are looking to head downtown, we have a big list of Things to Do in Seattle too.