成人X站

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Smooth sailing for Sea-Tac Aiport travelers during holiday weekend

Dec 2, 2024, 3:11 PM

Sea-Tac cancellations...

Record numbers at Sea-Tac for Thanksgiving weekend. (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) experienced a record-breaking holiday travel period despite passenger volumes falling short of forecasted levels. From Wednesday through Sunday, Sea-Tac saw 707,000 passengers pass through its terminals, marking a 3.5% increase over last year and a 2.6% rise from 2019, setting a new record for the holiday period.

The busiest day was Sunday, with 171,500 passengers, and Wednesday with 162,000. Friday and Saturday saw 133,000 and 152,500 passengers, respectively, while Thursday had the lowest volume at 88,000. Despite these impressive numbers, the airport did not come close to breaking any individual daily records, which remain at 198,000 passengers, a figure reached twice in August.

Holiday travel: After hack, Sea-Tac Airport website back up in time for passengers

Sea-Tac officials noted that the holidays are not typically the busiest times of the year for the airport. “We did not get close to any individual daily records,” Perry Cooper, Sea-Tac spokesperson, told MyNorthwest in an email. “The holidays are not the busiest times of the year at SEA.”

The airport had anticipated higher volumes, but actual numbers were about 8% below forecasted levels. The increase over previous years highlights the ongoing recovery and growth in air travel.

Travelers navigating Sea-Tac during the holiday period faced the usual challenges of holiday travel, compounded by ongoing construction projects. One checkpoint was down for construction, but the airport had added two new security lanes earlier in the year to improve efficiency. Despite these efforts, passengers were advised to arrive early and plan ahead to avoid delays.

Many travelers took extra precautions to ensure a smooth journey. “I am here three hours early so I am hoping to get through it,” one traveler told “As long as you add an extra hour or two on top of what you plan ahead, you should be good,” another traveler advised.

Lifestyle: Storm blankets parts of the US during busy holiday travel weekend with more snow and cold forecast

Sea-Tac officials also provided several tips for holiday travelers, including using the service to reserve a spot in the TSA line ahead of time, arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures, and using the airport鈥檚 interactive map to find gates, restaurants, and amenities post-security.

The airport’s efforts to enhance the passenger experience are part of the ongoing , which includes the opening of new space in the Alaska Airlines Ticketing Lobby. While some areas remain under construction, these changes aim to improve efficiency and comfort for travelers in the long term.

Despite the challenges, the ultimate goal for many travelers remained the same: reuniting with loved ones for the holidays. “Everyone here is traveling to be with people who are important to them, so keep that positive mindset in mind and we will get there,” one experienced traveler told KOMO.

Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on and email him here.听

MyNorthwest News

FILE - A person holds drug paraphernalia near the Washington Center building on SW Washington Stree...

James Lynch

Seattle introduces new drug prosecution alternative

The City of Seattle has a new program aimed at keeping people arrested for misdemeanor drug use and possession out of jail.

3 hours ago

Washington State University (Photo Courtesy of 成人X站 7)...

Sofia Silvia

More than 500 universities sign letter against federal cuts, WSU absent

As the Trump administration makes funding cuts to universities nationwide, many university presidents are banding together to take a stand.

4 hours ago

FILE - The headquarters of the U.S. Department of Education, March 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Pho...

MyNorthwest Staff

Federal investigation launched into Washington鈥檚 education office

The federal government steps in over La Center's pronoun policy amid tensions with Washington and the Trump administration.

5 hours ago

Gig Harbor Police Car...

Frank Lenzi

Driver crashes into four parked cars in Gig Harbor shopping center parking lot

A driver crashed into four empty cars in a Gig Harbor parking lot.

7 hours ago

Lynnwood mail theft...

Jason Sloss, 成人X站 7 News

Lynnwood man using cameras to fight back against mail thieves

Mail theft is a growing crime around Puget Sound, and a Snohomish County man is doing what he can to fight back. 鈥淚 installed the cameras back in 2022 when mail theft got really bad around here,鈥 said Erik Watt, who installed cameras outside mailboxes on his street in Lynnwood.

9 hours ago

electricity demand...

MyNorthwest Staff

Electricity demand for WA, surrounding areas could double by 2046, experts say

The Pacific Northwest's demand for electricity could double over the next two decades, according to an energy forecast from regional experts.

10 hours ago

Smooth sailing for Sea-Tac Aiport travelers during holiday weekend