Around one million visitors are anticipated to pass through the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) during the Memorial Day weekend as the summer travel season kicks off. Here’s what you need to be aware of.
It is anticipated that approximately 970,000 passengers will pass through the airport from Wednesday to Monday.
It is anticipated that Friday will witness the highest number of travelers, with approximately 182,000 people traveling. This day will be closely followed by Thursday with around 181,000 travelers and then Monday coming in third place with about 163,000 travelers.
The SEA suggests that passengers should get to the airport at least 120 minutes prior to their departure time for flights within the country and 180 minutes beforehand for trips abroad.
According to the Port of Seattle, over one-third of the airport’s daily passengers arrive before 9 a.m., with additional busy times between 2-5 p.m. and 9-11 p.m.
The airport recommended using
Spot Saver
, a scheduling system for security screenings that features separate lanes at TSA checkpoint areas.
Additional advice from the Port of Seattle includes:
- Consider utilizing public transport, taking a taxi, or opting for an app-based rideshare or shuttle service. Should you need to drive up to the curb, disregard the departure and arrival signage and instead make use of the most quickly moving lane.
- Should you opt for parking as your sole choice, expect to allocate an additional 45-60 minutes to secure a space. The airport is implementing advanced technology and introducing an automatic parking guidance system.
-
Download the
flySEA app
, featuring an interactive map and utilizing the OrderSEA mobile ordering function to place your food orders. -
Travelers going abroad can download the
Mobile Passport Control app
To learn more about travel in Southeast Asia, check out
portseattle.org
.
REAL ID
Starting from May 7, passengers traveling through TSA checkpoints at airports throughout the U.S. are required to present certain identification documents. Here they are:
If an individual doesn’t possess a REAL ID, they might delay their travel plans until they acquire one.
The Transportation Security Administration reports that approximately 7% of Americans arriving at airports do not have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification. Nonetheless, the TSA notes that most of these passengers are still permitted entry following extra scrutiny.
The TSA anticipates phasing out these exemptions by the end of this year.
Summer travel season
Airlines have reduced the number of flights scheduled for the remainder of the year in an effort to cut costs.
A CNN aviation and travel analyst mentioned that airlines are preparing for a challenging summer season following a decline in passenger numbers.
Several potential concerns are being cited, including travelers’ worries about air travel safety following several high-profile crashes since the start of 2025.
The analyst mentioned that there is an overall worry about the economy, potentially impacting individuals’ choices to go traveling and make purchases.
Leave a Reply