TSA Security Wait Times

Seatac airport wait times shown on this page are approximate and can vary based on several factors including severe weather, TSA staffing, airport construction, etc.

SEA TSA security wait time forecasts are made leveraging flight volume data and TSA staffing models. Using advanced data science, wait times for Seattle Tacoma SEA Airport are projected, that barring extreme outliers, are within five minutes in accuracy, as validated by large US airlines. The TSA urges all travelers to arrive at the airport well in advance of scheduled flight departures and has provided security checkpoint wait time information as a guide to assist in travel planning. Please be sure to check with your airline for ticket counter wait times as well as possible changes to flight schedules, as these and other factors influence your decision regarding how early to arrive at SEA. Please be aware that each airline has a recommended arrival time and even stricter required arrival times.

All airlines require that you arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's departure gate and even onboard and in your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight's scheduled departure time. The amount of the advance arrival time required varies depending on the airline you are using. Most airlines' conditions of carriage state that with many of their tickets, failure to arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's departure gate and your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight's scheduled departure time may cause you to be denied boarding and cause you to forfeit any refund or other compensation due for the unused ticket even if you have advance seat assignments and advance boarding passes.