It’s crucial to have a proper knowledge of security checks and their wait time. This is because it will help you calculate the average time it will take to complete all the formalities when you reach the airport so that you can accordingly decide on your visit there. Most of the time, people reach the airport a little late, reach the gates in the last few minutes, or miss flights.
So, it’s better to be aware that Seatac Airport Security wait times are usually around 25 to 30 minutes, depending on various factors such as travel season, location of the checkpoint, and much more. This read will help you understand everything about the Sea-TAC Airport and their security check for a better journey if you are planning to travel to any of your desired locations from there.
Seatac Security Checkpoint Map!
Once you arrive at the Seattle Airport, you will find a number of security checkpoints, and all of them have different types of security checks available, including CLEAR, TSA, General, Premium Screening, SEA Spot Saver, and many more. See all the checkpoints and other information mentioned below, such as Seatac wait times, etc.:
Checkpoint 1 | |
Location | Near Ticket Counter 1 |
Type | CLEAR and TSA PreCheck Only |
TSA Hours | 4 am to 1 pm |
CLEAR Hours | 4 am to 1 pm |
Checkpoint 2 | |
Location | Near Ticket Counter 2 |
Type | CLEAR, General and Premium Screening, and SEA Spot Saver |
Hours (Daily) | 4 am to 11 pm |
CLEAR Hours | 4 am to 11 pm |
Checkpoint 3 | |
Location | Near Ticket Counters 4 & 5 |
Type | CLEAR, General and Premium Screening, SEA Visitor Pass, and SEA Spot Saver |
Hours (General) | 6 am to 4 pm |
CLEAR Hours | 6 am to 4 pm |
Checkpoint 4 | |
Location | Near Ticket Counter 2 |
Type | CLEAR, General, and TSA PreCheck Screening |
Hours (Daily) | 4 am to 10 pm |
CLEAR Hours (PreCheck Only) | 4 am to 10 pm |
Checkpoint 5 | |
Location | Near Ticket Counter 2 |
Type | General Screening |
Hours (Daily) | 4 am to 6 pm |
TSA PreCheck AT SEA (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport)!
After arriving at the Seattle Airport, you’ll have an exceptional TSA PreCheck experience. Travelers who are members of the TSA PreCheck program will not have to remove their shoes, belts, light outerwear, etc. Additionally, they don’t have to remove their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids from their cabin luggage during the entire security check.
You can use the TSA PreCheck after visiting the SEA Airport and heading towards Checkpoints 1 and 4. Additionally, if you are a frequent flyer traveling only on the airlines that are members of the CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) traveler program.
Seatac TSA Wait Times!
Whenever you are going through a TSA PreCheck, you might experience different wait times. However, it completely depends on the rush at the airport and the location at the airport. But, the most important factor is the time of the day when you are going through the TSA Check. Below mentioned tables will help you get an idea about the wait times of TSA lines at Seatac Airport:
Time (AM) | Time Taken (in mins) |
4:00-5:00 | 30-45 |
5:00-6:00 | 30-60 |
6:00-7:00 | 20-45 |
7:00-8:00 | 15-30 |
8:00-9:00 | 15-25 |
9:00-10:00 | 15-20 |
10:00-11:00 | 15-20 |
Time (PM) | Time Taken (in mins) |
12:00-1:00 | 15-25 |
1:00-2:00 | 15-25 |
2:00-3:00 | 15-25 |
3:00-4:00 | 15-30 |
4:00-5:00 | 15-30 |
5:00-6:00 | 20-35 |
6:00-7:00 | 20-35 |
7:00-8:00 | 20-30 |
8:00-9:00 | 15-25 |
9:00-10:00 | 15-25 |
10:00-11:00 | 15-20 |
11:00-12:00 | 15-20 |
Seatac Security Wait Times at TSA & CLEAR Checkpoint Program!
If you are a member of any of these PreCheck programs, you’ll be more than happy to know that both of them are available at the SEA Airport, offering services at specific times at various checkpoints. Check the table mentioned below, which includes all the essential information, such as wait times at Seatac Airport, opening and closing times, and checkpoints:
Terminal | Checkpoint | Open | Close | Avg. Wait Times (in mins) |
Main Terminal | Checkpoint 1 | Open 24 Hours | Open 24 Hours | 5-10 |
Main Terminal | Checkpoint 2 | 4 AM | 8 PM | 5-10 |
Main Terminal | Checkpoint 3 | 4 AM | 9 PM | 5-10 |
Main Terminal | Checkpoint 4 | 4 AM | 10 PM | 5-10 |
Main Terminal | Checkpoint 5 | 4 AM | 7 PM | 5-10 |
Main Terminal | CLEAR (Checkpoint 2) | 4 AM | 8 PM | 5-10 |
Main Terminal | CLEAR (Checkpoint 3) | 4 AM | 9 PM | 5-10 |
Main Terminal | CLEAR (Checkpoint 4) | 4 AM | 10 PM | 5-10 |
North | TSA PreCheck | 4 AM | 10 PM | 5-10 |
South | TSA PreCheck | 4 AM | 10 PM | 5-10 |
You’ll find a number of airlines, both domestic and international, using Seattle Aiport as a hub and operating thousands of flights every single day. In this situation, passengers get instant relief when they find TSA and CLEAR PreChecks at the airport terminal.
In addition, these memberships offer additional benefits to travelers which they can easily avoid long security queues, and their verification can be done quickly in no time.
Final Thought!
SeaTac Airport security wait times are usually not that much higher as compared to other airports. This is due to the airport having introduced many TSA & CLEAR PreCheck points through the airport terminal, which helps in clearing the rush quickly and provides relaxation to the passengers. Different Precheck facilities have different wait times, and TSA is one of the quick precheck security checkpoint facilities. Hope you got all the essential information about the checkpoints available at Seattle Airport.
FAQs
You’ll find 5 am to noon and 3 pm to 5 pm, the busiest times at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport checkpoints.
If you are planning to fly from the SEA Airport Terminal, make sure to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the scheduled flight departure for a domestic flight and 3 hours prior to the International flight.
SEA Sport Saver is a facility that allows passengers to book or schedule the screening time at the airport precheck ahead of their scheduled flight departure. This facility helps in avoiding the long queues and hours of wait at the TSA checkpoints.
Different security checks have different timings; however, TSA & CLEAR opens at 4 am in the morning.