SEATAC, Wash. — The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) is projecting Saturday to be the busiest travel day for the holidays this December.
Sea-Tac projects 158,000 travelers to make their way through the airport on Saturday, Dec. 23. Tuesday, Dec. 26 follows close behind with an estimated 157,000 passengers, followed by Dec. 22 with 156,000 and Dec. 27 with 155,000.
Sea-Tac Airport recommends travelers arrive at least two hours before their boarding time for a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.
The airport is also extending a new pilot program that offers 90 minutes of free parking in the airport garages for people picking up and dropping off passengers. The free parking period will be available between 8 p.m. and midnight starting on Dec. 20 and lasting until Dec. 27. Drivers can park for an hour and a half to pick up or drop off travelers. The hope is that the program will redirect drivers from going to the arrivals and departures lanes, alleviating some congestion.
The airport also recommends using Spot Saver, an appointment system for security screening that uses dedicated lanes through TSA checkpoints.
Other tips from the Port of Seattle include:
- Trying public transportation, using a taxi, or app-based rideshare or shuttle. If driving to the curb is your only option, ignore the departures and arrivals signs and use the fastest-moving lane
- If parking is your only option, plan on an extra 45-60 minutes to find a spot. The airport is incorporating new technology and installing an automated parking guidance system
- Download the flySEA app, which includes an interactive map and use the OrderSEA mobile order feature to order food
- International travelers can download the Mobile Passport Control app
The Port of Seattle said more than one-third of the airport's daily passenger volume arrives at the airport before 9 a.m. with two more peak periods of 2-5 p.m. and 9-11 p.m.
For more information on traveling through Sea-Tac Airport, visit portseattle.org.
