Next week kicks off the winter holiday travel season in what is now expected to be the busiest year ever at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The following includes the latest passenger traffic information for Sea-Tac, special offers, tips for travelers and links for additional information, as provided by the Port of Seattle, which operates Sea-Tac Airport.
The passenger forecast for the Thanksgiving period at Sea-Tac is expected to be about even with 2010 levels.
The busiest travel days for the Thanksgiving period are projected to be Sunday, Nov. 27 (89,250 passengers), Wednesday, Nov. 23 (88,767), and Monday, Nov. 28 (85,050).
This period is not the busiest time of the year for Sea-Tac. The high days for the period are in the top third busiest days for the year, but they are well below summer averages. An average summer day (June-August) will see about 100,000 passengers (inbound and outbound) through the airport and is the peak air travel time for Sea-Tac.
In terms of travelers, August is traditionally the busiest month of the year followed by July, June and May. By contrast December is seventh and November eighth.
This year recorded the busiest months ever at Sea-Tac for June (3.1 million), July (3.35 million) and August (3.37 million).
Overall, through September, 2011 passenger traffic is up 4 percent compared to 2010. That is ahead of the airport’s projection of a 1 percent increase for the year. Year-end traffic is now projected to be up 3.5 percent – 4 percent over 2010. That would exceed Sea-Tac’s highest ever year in passenger traffic, back in 2008 with 32.1 million passengers.
Thanksgiving travel tips
• Do Some Advance Planning – Confirm your travel details and make sure the name on your boarding pass and your government-issued ID match.
• Pack with Security in Mind – Know what is and isn’t allowed in carry-ons and checked luggage by checking the TSA website.
• Get your Boarding Pass Early – Print it online before you arrive or use convenient check-in kiosks in the airport garage or at airline check-in counters. Passengers with only carry-on baggage can go directly to the security checkpoint. Passengers with luggage can go to airline bag-check points.
• Check the status of your flight online or via email notification – Check the flight status page for updates online or through email alerts.
• Arrive at least two hours before your flight – give yourself time to get through security.
• Park in the Airport Garage – Save time, stay dry and be close. No shuttles, covered skybridges and you are right next to the terminal.
