TSA Security Wait Times

One unique thing about Seattle Airport security is you can go through ANY checkpoint and get to ANY gate. According to Seatac, as a general rule it is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled domestic departure, and 3 hours before your international departure. Remember to arrive early and, if necessary, allow yourself enough time to park your car at the airport.

SEA features CLEAR expedited security screening. CLEAR counters are located at all Seatac TSA Security checkpoints (1-5). In partnership with iFly, CLEAR is offering a 2 month free promotion - it only takes a minute to sign up. 

Before you head to the airport, be sure to check SEA Arrival Delays, SEA Departure Delays, or use iFly's SEA Flight Tracker. 

There are a total of 5 security checkpoints at Seattle airport, and they all feature general, CLEAR, TSA Pre, premium, and ADA-friendly security checks. There are 4 primary checkpoints at Seatac, with a 5th open during busy travel periods. Checkpoint 3 is open 24/7. 

Location: Near ticket counter 1

Type: CLEAR and TSA Pre Only

Hours: Daily,  4:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Notes: Closest checkpoint for accessing A & S gates

Location: Near ticket counter 2

Type: CLEAR, Premium, and General Screening

Hours: Daily,  4:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Notes: Closest checkpoint for accessing A & S gates

Location: Between ticket counters 4 & 5

Type: CLEAR, Premium, and General Screening

Hours: Daily, 24 hours; CLEAR from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Notes: Central terminal, closest checkpoint for accessing B & C gates

Location: Near ticket counter 2

Type: Type: CLEAR and TSA Pre Only

Hours: Daily,  4:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Notes: Closest checkpoint for accessing C & D gates

Location: Near ticket counter 2

Type: CLEAR, Premium, and General Screening

Hours: Daily,  4:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Notes: Closest checkpoint for accessing D & N gates

Get a printable PDF MAP of Seatac TSA Security Checkpoint Locations

Global Entry and other international trusted travel programs are available at Seatac airport.  

Seatac TSA Pre Lanes can be found at Checkpoints 2, 3, and 5. Checkpoint 4 is a TSA Pre dedicated lane. 

Seatac TSA wait times can be cut down considerably if you participate in the TSA Pre program. You can even sign up for TSA PreCheck before your next Seatac flight - there’s an enrollment center on the departures/ticketing level, near the Alaska Airlines ticket counter. To enroll, you will need to bring your ID or passport. 

TSA PreCheck passengers can enjoy expedited screening at SEA, and in most cases you don’t have to remove your: shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. For more information and to enroll, visit the TSA website. 

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.