Seattle Tacoma Airport SEA (Sea-Tac) TSA Security Wait Times Information
ALL CHECKPOINTS, ALL GATES
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.
Get CLEAR Expedited Security at Seattle Airport! Also at T-Mobile Park!
SEA Airport features CLEAR expedited security screening. Joining CLEAR, aka CLEAR Plus, will save you time and stress in Seatac security lines. As and added benefit, you can also use your CLEAR credentials at T-Mobile Park - CLEAR lanes can be found at the Home Plate Entrance. See below for TSA/CLEAR hours for enrollment and screening.
In partnership with iFly, CLEAR is offering a 2 month free promotion. **NEW** You can add up to 3 other family members to the 2 month trial (siblings, parents, aunts/uncles, etc.). It only takes a minute to sign up! ***LIMITED TIME PROMOTION*** Learn more about CLEAR Airport Security and how it works.
RESERVE powered by CLEAR
Also known as Spot Saver at Seattle, this program allows travelers to make an advanced reservation for the TSA line for free. Note that this option will place you in the "standard" security line and unlike CLEAR Plus described above, it does not work in conjunction with TSA PreCheck. Learn more about RESERVE powered by CLEAR at Seatac.
Maps, Airlines & Amenities
View maps, find airlines, discover food & shops
Seattle Airport Overview Map
Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) Terminals
Airline Information
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Airport Restaurants, Stores & Amenities
Helpful Tips & Resources
iFly.com can help you get to, through, and between airports around the world. Here are some things you may need to know that can help you on your journey specific to SEA:
- Once you get through security, pull up the interactive terminal map to navigate to your gate, and see all the restaurant and shopping options along the way.
- Remember that a great low-cost alternative to parking within the airport facility is to use on off-airport parking lot. They offer lower costs, a bit further away from the terminals. Reserve here.
- If you have some time before your flight's departure, be sure to grab a bite, peruse the shops, or jump on the free wifi and get caught up on those emails.
- Lose something while in the terminal area? Find the contact info you need for lost & found here.
- If your flight is arriving to the airport from another city and need a quick way to get to your destination, give a call to one of these taxi or limo service providers.
SEA (Sea-Tac) FLIGHT DELAYS
Before you head to the airport, be sure to check SEA Arrival Delays, SEA Departure Delays, or use iFly's SEA Flight Tracker.
TSA SEATAC Security Checkpoints - Location and Hours
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.
Checkpoint 1
Location: Near ticket counter 1
Type: CLEAR and TSA Pre Only
Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 4:00 PM
CLEAR: Hours May Vary
Notes: Closest checkpoint for accessing A & S gates
Checkpoint 2
Location: Near ticket counter 2
Type: CLEAR, Premium, and General Screening
Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
CLEAR: Daily, 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Notes: Closest checkpoint for accessing A & S gates
Checkpoint 3
Location: Between ticket counters 4 & 5
Type: CLEAR, Premium, and General Screening
Hours: Daily, 24 hours;
CLEAR: 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Notes: Central terminal, closest checkpoint for accessing B & C gates
Checkpoint 4
Location: Near ticket counter 2
Type: Type: CLEAR and TSA Pre Only
Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
CLEAR (Precheck only): 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Notes: Closest checkpoint for accessing C & D gates
Checkpoint 5
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 at SEA
Global Entry and other international trusted travel programs are available at Seatac airport.
CLEAR Lanes
SEA features CLEAR expedited security screening. CLEAR counters are located at all Seatac TSA Security checkpoints (1-5). RESERVE powered by CLEAR is also available at this airport and spots can be reserved up to 72 hours before departure.
TSA PreCheck at SEA
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.
About 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.
TSA Pre Check at SEA
AVAILABLE
Terminal MAIN
Checkpoint 1
OPEN
Checkpoint 3
CLOSED
Checkpoint 4
OPEN
Offsite Checkpoint
OPEN
Seattle Tacoma Airport wait times Q&A
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.
Yes, one unique thing about Seattle Airport security is that you can go through any checkpoint and get to any gate.
Yes, SEA airport features CLEAR expedited security screening. Joining CLEAR, also known as CLEAR Plus, will save you time and stress in the security lines. As an added benefit, you can also use your CLEAR credentials at T-Mobile Park.