Information and Travel Guide for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac, serves Puget Sound region and the entire state of Washington. It is the 16th busiest airport in the United States and served 32.8 million travellers in 2011. Sea-Tac connects travellers to 77 domestic destinations and 17 overseas destinations. It is served by 26 airlines and is the main hub of Alaska Airlines. The airport handles an average of 871 aircraft operations daily.

History

The Port of Seattle built the airport in 1944 to address the needs of civilians after the US military took over the existing airfield in the region. The first commercial flights departed the airport in 1947 and, in 1949, the administration building was unveiled and the facility was given its current name. A significant increased in air travel during the late 1950s called for an expansion at the airport. The first concourse was operational by July of 1959 and 2 more were added during the 1960s.

In 1973, the airport opened its newly renovated Main Terminal which was four times bigger than the old terminal. Sea-Tac has seen further growth and upgrades over the years. Recent renovations include the addition of a third runway, the Central Terminal and Arrivals Hall makeover, and a five-storey rental car facility.

Services and Amenities

  • Financial Services - The Main Terminal has 8 ATMs, a full service bank and a Travelex Currency Exchange counter. There are also 2 ATMs in the Central Terminal and at least 1 ATM in every concourse and satellite areas.

  • Internet Services - The airport has excellent free wireless internet connections and internet phones all available throughout the airport.

  • Food Services - Guests will enjoy plenty of dining choices throughout the airport including restaurants and bars. There are 10 food venues in the Central Terminal alone such as Ivar's Seafood and Anthony's Restaurant. The airport expectedly has several Starbucks and Seattle's Best Coffee shops with Seattle being home to these well-known coffeehouse chains.

  • Retail Services - The airport has many shopping facilities including four Seattle Duty Free shops. Shop for cosmetics, jewelry and apparel in stores located at the Central Terminal. Local products can be bought from the specialty store Made in Washington.

  • Transportation - There are 24-hour rental car shuttles to and from the airport, hotel courtesy vehicles, door-to-door vans, limos, taxis and public transit buses all available for travellers' ground transportation needs.

  • Other - Head to Concourse C for a seated massage or foot massage at Massage Baror for nail care services at Butter LONDON. No appointments are needed at either shop.

Parking

Short- and long-term onsite parking is available at the airport's ParkSmart garage which has 9,000 parking lots and a convenient location steps away from the main terminal building. The fastest way to reach the ticket counters and checkpoints is to park at the fourth floor of ParkSmart and take any of the connecting skybridge.

Surrounding Area and Attractions

Seattle is a diverse city with plenty of sights to see and things to do. A whole day of recreation can start with a visit to Pike Place Market to savor the local goods followed by a relaxing afternoon at the Olympic Structure Park and Seattle Center and capped with a sunset gourmet dinner cruise along Puget Sound. Seattle's coffee culture, wineries and gorgeous natural scenery are some of things visitors must experience in this vibrant city.


Contact Information:

Address: 17801 International Boulevard, Seattle, WA 98158, USA
Phone number: 1 (206) 787-3000
Fax: 1 206 439 7725
Number of Terminals: 1 (plus 2 satellites)
E-mail: Via the airport's website
Website: www.portseattle.org/seatac/default.htm
Time Zone: GMT - 8 (GMT - 7 from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October)
Location: The airport is located 19km (12 miles) south of Seattle
IATA Airport Code: SEA