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 6 live SEA checkpoint readings, so the terminal and checkpoint spread matters more than a single airport-wide average.
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.