Presidents Day Holiday Brings Reminders for Helpful Travel Tips at SEA

Heading out to relieve some winter blues? You won’t be the only one, so don’t forget these travel tips for your Presidents Day excursions through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). There’s still time to get Reserved Parking, or there’s plenty of space for drive-up. Make check-in faster with Bridge level check-in on the north end, and prepare ahead of time for an easier experience.

Limited space is still available for Reserved Parking in the airport garage when you book in advance, while plenty of spaces are expected to be open for drive-up. You can also opt in to receive future Reserved Parking email offers. Ways to avoid the congested drives include using light rail, rideshares, taxi/limos, scheduled airporters, door-to-door van service, and shuttle service.

Be heartfelt on February 14

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at SEA from 10:00 a,m. to noon. Discover a free photo booth, craft projects for kids near the Children’s Play Area, SEA Pup Gracie, Jett the SEA Otter, and valentines at the Central Terminal post-security! In advance of the holiday, here’s a little love story about “Gordy” the SEA sloth, discovered on Valentine’s Day, 1961.

Bridge level check-in on the North end!

If you haven’t been here for awhile, you may be surprised to see that some major construction walls have come down at the north end of the main terminal in ticketing! We’ve completed Phase One of the SEA Gateway project. That means more room to use new check-in technologies in light, bright spaces when you check in for your flight. In addition, Alaska Airlines offers easy check-in and bag drop on the Bridge level along the skybridges from the airport garage. Travelers are encouraged to use that check-in area, even if you’re not coming from the garage, as an alternative. The SEA Gateway Project continues for another year. With Checkpoint 5 closed, ask Pathfinders and volunteers in green for directions and guidance through security checkpoints.

Numbers to Know

Passenger volumes are expected to be about the same as last year, or maybe slightly less. From Thursday, February 13, to Tuesday, February 18, an estimated 820,000 travelers will go through SEA. The busiest days of the holiday period are currently projected to be:

• Friday, February 14, 150,000 estimated overall travelers (arriving, departing and connecting)
• Thursday, February 13, 145,000 passengers
• Monday, February 17, 139,000 passengers
• Sunday, February 16, 137,000 passengers

Note: In comparison, the average-volume day in August 2024 saw 175,000 passengers.

Go-to tips and tricks

Arrive early. Avoid feeling rushed by getting to the terminal at least two hours before your boarding time for a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. When planning, factor in the time you need to travel from off-site parking or drop-offs to the terminal. More than one-third of SEA’s daily passenger volume arrives at the airport before 9:00 a.m., causing busy conditions at TSA security checkpoints and on the airport drives. Two more peak periods occur from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m.

Take advantage of SEA Spot Saver: Secure a spot in line to make the security checkpoint process easier. Checkpoint wait times are currently not available online or in the terminal, but staff in green will be there to guide you. Once you’re through the checkpoint, use SEA’s interactive map for directions to your gate, favorite restaurant, or amenities.

Avoid traffic. Bypass the congested Arrival and Departure drives by using public transportation, airport parking, rideshare, taxi/limo, scheduled airporter, door-to-door van service, or a shuttle option. When picking someone up, briefly park in the SEA Airport parking garage, entering from the south, to meet arriving travelers in the terminal, then exit together through the garage without ever using the drives. You can even pick up a coffee while you’re waiting!

Think opposite. If you choose to use the drives, use the lower Arrivals drive instead of the upper Departures drive during peak morning hours, and vice versa if you’re picking someone up in the evening. Or use whichever lane is moving faster – they both go to the same building.

Try SEA Reserved Parking. Reserve a parking space on Floor 4 of the airport’s parking garage for a minimum two-day stay. From there, it’s a short walk across the skybridge to the terminal. Reservations fill up quickly so grab your spot today!

Head straight to security. Check in for your flight ahead of time and download or print your boarding pass. Review your airline’s baggage policies, and if you don’t need to check a bag, head straight to the security checkpoints.

REAL ID is coming May 7, 2025 — be ready! The REAL ID Act requires anyone traveling by airplane to use a REAL ID-compliant document. This federal law takes effect on May 7, 2025. Discover the full list of accepted ID documents or look up information through the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Try the SEA Social Story for help traveling. This social story and resource guide is designed for travelers with autism to repeatedly review with their family/caregivers prior to travel. It can be used by anyone who might find it helpful.

Contact

Perry Cooper | SEA Airport 
[email protected]