SEATAC, Wash. — As travel breaks post-pandemic records, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is undergoing major construction as part of the SEA Gateway Project.
The goal of the project is to upgrade the ticketing area in the north end of the airport. Airport officials say passengers can expect three future benefits from the project.
"More natural light, a more intuitive path through the ticketing and bag drop area, and more screening lanes with a more expanded area to collect their belongings and repack," said Sea-Tac Managing Director Lance Lyttle.
However, during construction, travelers will need to prepare for skybridge closures, barricades in the lobby near the Alaska Airlines area, and limited space around baggage claim carousels. To help ensure construction doesn't impede plans, Sea-Tac officials suggest people check into their flight on the Alaska Airlines app before arriving, only going to the Alaska Airlines area if they need to check a bag and be aware of skybridge closures.
The SEA Gateway Project is adding about 24,000 feet of employee office and ticket counter space along undeveloped areas between the skybridges and ticketing and bag claim levels. It is also reconfiguring and opening the passenger throughput on the ticketing level, as well as redeveloping the security checkpoint from five to six lanes, with the possibility to increase to seven lanes in the future.
The first phase of the project is expected to be complete by quarter three of 2024. The second phase is expected to be complete by quarter three of 2026.
The total project is expected to cost $546 million.