Airport arrival mode
SEA TSA wait times at Seattle-Tacoma International
Choose a terminal area and screening lane. Arrival Mode keeps the airport in view while it compares the freshest nearby checkpoint readings.
Drag to explore · choose a terminal marker
Raw checkpoint readings
The unfiltered airport feed is retained below so you can compare the source rows with the Arrival Mode recommendation.
30-day pattern by hour
SEA playbook
This page is currently backed by a live SEA airport reading. Use the current number first, then the history chart to judge whether conditions are rising or easing.
SEA's official security page lists six checkpoints and identifies lane types by checkpoint.
The live wait-time page recommends two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
SEA calls out additional peak periods from 2-5 PM and 9-11 PM, so the airport can be busy outside the normal morning rush.
Terminals at a glance
Checkpoint 1 is closest to A and S gates and lists general screening, TSA PreCheck, and CLEAR options.
Checkpoint 2 is closest to A and S gates and supports general screening plus SEA Spot Saver during its published hours.
Checkpoint 3 is a central option with general screening, TSA PreCheck, Touchless ID, and premium-lane options.
Checkpoint 4 is open 24 hours and is closest to the Central Terminal plus B and C gates.
Checkpoints 5 and 6 are closest to C, D, and N gates; Checkpoint 5 is PreCheck-focused while Checkpoint 6 includes general, premium, PreCheck, and CLEAR options.
Airline notes
Alaska Airlines passengers should aim for Checkpoints 5 or 6. Delta and international carriers typically route through A gates or the South Satellite.
South Satellite (Gates S1-S16) handles almost all foreign international arrivals and selected Delta international departures.
Local tips
SEA publishes checkpoint-by-checkpoint lane types and hours, so choose by service need: general, premium, CLEAR, SEA Spot Saver, or TSA PreCheck.
SEA states that all gates are accessible from any checkpoint, which makes shortest-line selection more useful than at terminal-isolated airports.
Checkpoint 4 is the 24-hour checkpoint, while the other checkpoints have published daily windows that can change by operation.