When traveling to the Seattle SEA Airport, it’s always a good idea to check the status of your flight online in case there are any delays. Like many airports, the Seattle SEA airport offers Web check-in. You can print your boarding pass conveniently at home. If you don’t have any baggage to check, this will allow you to bypass the ticket counter completely, sending you through to the security checkpoint and onto your gate.
Make Check In Easier
If you fly Alaska, Continental, Horizon, Northwest or United, you have the advantage of checking in and printing your boarding pass as soon as you enter the airport from the parking garage. Quick check-in kiosks allow you to go to print your boarding pass and head straight to security and onto the gate if your traveling without luggage, saving you standing in at least one line during your flight. The quick check-in kiosks are located on the fourth floor of the garage at the entrances to Skybridges 2 to 6.
Alaska airlines feature customer friendly islands of check-in kiosks. If you have no luggage you can proceed right to security. If you have a bag to check, then proceed right to a bag checkpoint, where your luggage will be accepted and affixed with a bag tag.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time for Security
You should always give yourself at least 2 hours to prepare for your flight. Security can be sluggishly slow, so it’s always best to over-budget yourself on time. Remember that you’ll need to leave your baggage unlocked or use a TSA-approved lock, as baggage may be checked for security reasons. All bags are checked under supervision, however, so your luggage will remain safe from theft.
Watch Your Bag Limit
Keep in mind you have a limit to the bags you can check. You are allowed to board the plane with one carry-on bag and one personal item like a purse, laptop or briefcase. Most airlines have a weight limit to what you can check. If you exceed it, you may have to pay a hefty fee. It’s always best to check with the airline about what can and what cannot fly, as security measures change all the time. Changes in security code can be as fickle as the weather, depending on what the current risks are.
Finding a Parking Space
It’s most convenient to park in the airport parking garage, which is connected to the main terminal by covered Skybridges so you can be sure to stay dry. You are right at the airport, so you don’t have to mess with shuttle buses, saving you time as well as money. The airport now features a floor count system so you can don’t have to wonder about whether or not you’ll have a parking spot. The floor count system can also help you with how long it will take to get from your car to your plane. Note where you’ve parked by the space number and elevator color. You might want to right this down. When you return from your big trip, your memory may still be on the other side of the world, so leaving a note to yourself could save you some unneeded stress after the flight back.
Off-Airport Parking
If the airport parking lot is full, you’ll be pleased to know you can also use offsite Sea-Tac Airport parking as well. It can save you both time as well as money. You can often pay 50 percent of what you’d pay to park at the airport. This money can allow you to add a few more days onto your trip or check out some of the sights in Seattle.
Many of the off-airport parking facilities will greet your arrival with a hot fresh cup of coffee as well as a paper. Off airport parking can be found at Skyway Inn Airport Parking, Extra Car, Park N Jet, SeaTac Park, and Park N Fly.