Seattle Airport (SEA) Terminal Guide 2026
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is Alaska Airlines' global hub, a Pacific gateway for Asia-Pacific routes, and the jumping-off point for millions of tech-industry travelers heading to Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and Google. Unlike most major airports, Sea-Tac has one terminal — but navigating its concourses, Link Light Rail, and corporate transfer routes takes local knowledge.
Alaska Airlines Hometown Hub
Alaska Airlines is headquartered in SeaTac, WA and operates its global hub at Sea-Tac Airport. Alaska accounts for over 50% of all departures from SEA, making it the most dominant home-airport relationship among major US carriers. If you're flying Alaska, you have more options, better schedules, and more lounge access at SEA than anywhere else.
Which Concourse Is Your Airline?
SEA has one terminal with concourses A through N. All use the same security checkpoints, but gates are spread across multiple concourses connected by the Airport Transit System (ATS) train.
| Airline | Concourse | Key Routes | Lounge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | C, D, N | All domestic + international hub connections | Alaska Lounge (D), Alaska Lounge+ (C) |
| Horizon Air (Alaska regional) | B | PNW regional — Portland, Spokane, Boise | Alaska Lounge access |
| Delta Air Lines | A | ATL, JFK, MSP, DTW, SLC, LAX, BOS | Delta Sky Club (A) |
| United Airlines | C | ORD, IAH, DEN, EWR, SFO, IAD | United Club (C) |
| American Airlines | C | DFW, ORD, MIA, CLT, PHL | Admirals Club (D) |
| Southwest Airlines | C | Domestic routes — LAS, PHX, DEN, LAX, SAN | No lounge |
| Spirit Airlines | C | Budget domestic routes | No lounge |
| Frontier Airlines | C | Budget domestic routes | No lounge |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | N | International — Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda | Star Alliance Lounge |
| Japan Airlines | N | International — Tokyo Narita | |
| Korean Air | N | International — Seoul Incheon | |
| Air Canada | N | International — Vancouver, Toronto | |
| British Airways | N | International — London Heathrow | |
| Lufthansa | N | International — Frankfurt | |
| Air France / KLM | N | International — Paris CDG, Amsterdam | |
| Condor | N | International — Germany (seasonal) | |
| Aeromexico | N | International — Mexico City |
Gate assignments vary by season and schedule. Check your boarding pass for your specific gate.
Concourse by Concourse
Concourse A — Delta & Regionals
Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection
Lounge: Delta Sky Club in Concourse A (Amex Platinum on Delta flights)
Concourse A is the southernmost concourse. Delta operates its SEA routes here, with frequent nonstops to Atlanta, New York JFK/LGA, Boston, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, LA, and international connections via ATL.
Concourse B — Regional/Commuter
Horizon Air, Ravn Alaska, charter operators
Lounge: None dedicated; Alaska Lounge accessible via ATS
Concourse B handles short-haul and commuter operations — think Portland, Spokane, Boise, and smaller Pacific Northwest cities. Horizon Air is Alaska's wholly-owned regional subsidiary.
Concourse C — United, American, Southwest, Centurion Lounge
United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier
Lounge: Centurion Lounge (Amex Platinum), United Club, Alaska Lounge+, The Club SEA
Concourse C is the busiest non-Alaska concourse. The Centurion Lounge here is one of the best Amex lounges in the US — food by local Seattle chef, spa, showers. Alaska Lounge+ in Concourse C has showers.
Concourse D — Alaska Hub & International
Alaska Airlines (primary), international connections
Lounge: Alaska Lounge (flagship), Admirals Club
Concourse D is Alaska's primary hub with the most Alaska gates. The Alaska Lounge here is the flagship SEA lounge. Several international departure gates are also in Concourse D.
Concourse N — International Terminal
ANA, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Air Canada, Aeromexico
Lounge: Star Alliance Lounge (ANA/United), Cathay Lounge, Air France lounge
Concourse N handles all international transoceanic departures. A major expansion project added gates in recent years to handle the volume of Asia-Pacific traffic, which has grown significantly as Seattle tech companies bring in global talent.
Link Light Rail from Seattle Airport
Sound Transit's 1 Line Link Light Rail connects Sea-Tac Airport directly to downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill, University of Washington, and Northgate. The station is accessible via the ATS train from the main terminal, or via a walkway from the baggage claim level.
| Station | Travel Time from SEA | Fare | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea-Tac Airport Station | 0 min | $3.25 | Airport — start here |
| Tukwila International Blvd | 8 min | $3.25 | South suburbs |
| Rainier Beach | 20 min | $3.25 | South Seattle |
| Columbia City | 24 min | $3.25 | South Seattle |
| Beacon Hill | 28 min | $3.25 | Central Seattle |
| SODO | 32 min | $3.25 | Sports stadiums (Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders) |
| King Street (International District) | 36 min | $3.25 | Downtown, International District |
| Pioneer Square | 37 min | $3.25 | Downtown Seattle |
| University Street | 39 min | $3.25 | Downtown core, Convention Center |
| Westlake | 41 min | $3.25 | Downtown core, Westlake Center |
| Capitol Hill | 44 min | $3.25 | Capitol Hill neighborhood |
| University of Washington | 47 min | $3.25 | UW campus |
| Northgate | 52 min | $3.25 | Northgate Mall area |
Link Light Rail Limitation: No Eastside Service
The Link Light Rail does not serve Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, or Bothell on the Eastside (East Link extension opened to Bellevue in 2024, but the Redmond Technology Station serving Microsoft's campus opened in late 2024). For most Eastside tech campus transfers — Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, T-Mobile — a car service is faster and more practical. A direct car transfer from SEA to Redmond/Microsoft takes 40–60 minutes vs. 60–80+ minutes via transit.
Corporate & Tech Campus Transfers from SEA
Seattle is home to Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Google, Meta, T-Mobile, and hundreds of tech company offices. Business travelers frequently need airport-to-campus transfers on predictable schedules. Detailed Drivers specializes in corporate ground transportation for Seattle's tech corridor.
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time | Sedan | SUV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Seattle (Convention Center/Pike Place) | 14 mi | 25–45 min | $75–$95 | $95–$120 |
| South Lake Union (Amazon HQ) | 16 mi | 30–50 min | $80–$100 | $100–$130 |
| Capitol Hill / First Hill | 16 mi | 30–50 min | $80–$100 | $100–$130 |
| Seattle Waterfront / Pike Place | 15 mi | 28–45 min | $75–$95 | $95–$120 |
| Bellevue Downtown | 20 mi | 30–50 min | $85–$110 | $110–$140 |
| Redmond (Microsoft Campus) | 25 mi | 40–60 min | $95–$120 | $120–$150 |
| Kirkland / Google Seattle | 22 mi | 35–55 min | $90–$115 | $115–$145 |
| Bothell / T-Mobile HQ area | 22 mi | 35–55 min | $90–$115 | $115–$145 |
| Renton (Boeing) | 10 mi | 20–35 min | $65–$85 | $85–$110 |
| Tacoma / Tacoma Convention Center | 25 mi | 35–50 min | $90–$115 | $115–$145 |
| Bellevue Square / Eastgate | 22 mi | 35–55 min | $90–$115 | $115–$145 |
| Everett (Boeing Factory) | 30 mi | 40–60 min | $110–$135 | $135–$165 |
All prices are estimates. Contact Detailed Drivers for exact quote: (888) 420-0177.
Transportation Options from Sea-Tac
| Option | Time to Downtown | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Car Service | 25–45 min | $75–$120 | Business travel, families, groups — flat rate, direct |
| Link Light Rail (1 Line) | 36–41 min | $3.25 | Solo travel, light luggage, daytime hours |
| Taxi | 25–45 min | $45–$65 | Metered, tips not included; no surge |
| Uber/Lyft | 25–45 min | $35–$60+ | Surge pricing common; TNC garage walk required |
| Shuttle Bus (Shuttle Express) | 35–75 min | $24–$34 | Shared stops, variable timing |
Seattle Traffic Warning: I-5 During Rush Hour
The I-5 corridor between Sea-Tac and downtown Seattle is notoriously congested during weekday rush hours: northbound 7–9 AM and southbound 4–7 PM. What should be a 25-minute drive can take 60–75 minutes during peak periods. If your flight arrives during rush hour, the Link Light Rail offers predictable 36-minute travel time regardless of traffic — but only works for downtown Seattle destinations, not the Eastside. For Eastside corporate transfers, we recommend scheduling arrivals before 7 AM or after 7 PM when possible.
SEA Airport FAQs
What is the main terminal at Seattle-Tacoma airport?
SEA has a single main terminal with multiple concourses (A through N). There are no separate numbered terminals. All airlines use the same security checkpoints, and an internal ATS train connects the concourses. Alaska Airlines accounts for 50%+ of all flights and has gates in Concourses C, D, and N.
Which concourse is Alaska Airlines at SEA?
Alaska Airlines operates out of Concourses C, D, and N at Sea-Tac. Concourse D is the primary Alaska hub with the flagship Alaska Lounge. Alaska Lounge+ (with showers) is in Concourse C. As the hometown carrier, Alaska has more gates at SEA than any other airline.
How do I take the Link Light Rail from Seattle airport?
The Link Light Rail (1 Line) station is accessible from the main terminal via the ATS train or walkway. Trains run every 8–15 minutes to downtown Seattle (~36–41 min, $3.25). The line extends to Capitol Hill, UW, and Northgate. Note: Link does not currently serve Bellevue or Eastside tech campuses on most routes.
How far is Seattle airport from downtown Seattle?
Sea-Tac is approximately 14 miles south of downtown Seattle. By car or car service, the drive takes 25–40 minutes in normal traffic and 45–75 minutes during weekday rush hour on I-5. The Link Light Rail offers a fixed ~36-minute connection.
How much does car service from SEA to downtown Seattle cost?
Black car service from SEA to downtown Seattle (Pike Place, Convention Center, waterfront hotels) typically costs $75–$95 for a sedan and $95–$120 for an SUV. Eastside destinations (Bellevue, Redmond) run $85–$135. Call Detailed Drivers at (888) 420-0177 for exact pricing.
How do I get from Seattle airport to Amazon or Microsoft campus?
Amazon's South Lake Union campus is ~16 miles from SEA, about 30–50 minutes by car. Microsoft's Redmond campus is ~25 miles, about 40–60 minutes via I-5 North to SR-520. Detailed Drivers specializes in tech campus transfers and can accommodate early-morning and late-evening arrivals for business travelers.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at Sea-Tac?
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) pickup at SEA is in the parking garage, Level 3 — not curbside at baggage claim. After collecting luggage, follow signs to the TNC staging area in the garage. There is a walk involved (3–5 minutes). Surge pricing is common during Friday evenings and after major events.
Does Sea-Tac have a Centurion Lounge?
Yes — the American Express Centurion Lounge at SEA is located in Concourse C, post-security. It's considered one of the best Amex Centurion Lounges in the US, with food by local Seattle chefs, full bar, spa services, and showers. Access requires an Amex Platinum Card or Centurion Card.
Book Your Seattle Airport Transfer
Detailed Drivers provides premium black car and chauffeur service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to downtown Seattle, South Lake Union, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Renton, Everett, and all Puget Sound destinations. Flat-rate pricing, flight tracking, and professional chauffeurs — available 24/7 at (888) 420-0177.