Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) serves the people of the Pacific Northwest with essential services, access to hundreds of domestic and global destinations, and economic activity that supports tens of thousands of jobs and produces $33 billion in economic activity. SEA set a record with over 52.7 million passengers in 2025. Thirty-seven airlines serve 96 nonstop domestic and 36 international destinations including Canada, Mexico, and seasonal operations. SEA earned the travel industry's prestigious 4-Star Skytrax Rating and designation as Best Airport in North America three years in a row (2022-24), focused on customer-centered travel with better services, facilities, and amenities.
For more information about the nation's 11th busiest airport, follow us on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Air passengers at SEA
- 52.7 million in 2025 (+0.06% over 2024)
- Domestic passengers: 45,610,105 in 2025 (-1.02% v. 2024)
- International passengers: 7,105,076 (+7.8% v. 2024)
- U.S. rank by passenger numbers: #11 (2024 rank)
- World ranking by passenger numbers: #34
- Gates: 89
- Approximately 70% of the airport’s passengers start or end their trip at SEA
Air cargo at SEA
- 427,971 metric tons in 2025 (-6.9% over 2024)
- U.S. rank by air cargo volume: #21 in 2024
- North American air cargo volume: #19 in 2024
Aircraft operations at SEA
- 435,896 takeoffs and landings in 2025
- Aircraft operations increased 0.36% from 2024
- Air carrier, 98.8% of total operations
- Air taxi, 0.9% of entire operations
- 12th busiest U.S. commercial service airport (2024 rank)
Runways
- SEA operates with three category IIIb certified runways using ASR-9 and ASDE-X radars, which reduce congestion and delays:
- 16L/34R - 11,901 feet, concrete/grooved
- 16C/34C - 9,426 feet, concrete/grooved
- 16R/34L - 8,500 feet, concrete/grooved
- Detailed information on SEA Airport is available on the AirNav website
Air carriers at SEA
Top carriers by passengers (percent of the total)
- Alaska Air Group 50.7%
- Delta 24.1%
- United 5.2%
- American 4.4%
Top carriers by domestic passengers
- Alaska Air Group 56.4%
- Delta 24.0%
- United 6%
- American 5.1%
Top carriers by international passengers
- Delta 24.8%
- Alaska 14.7%
- EVA 4.2%
- British Air 4.0%
- Air Canada 3.7%
Destinations
- 37 airlines
- 96 nonstop domestic destinations
- 36 international destinations
History
SEA was developed as a direct response to the World War II Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 when military needs limited civilian access to existing airports. The federal Civilian Aviation Authority sought a local government to develop new regional airport. The Port of Seattle accepted the challenge and selected Bow Lake in southwest King County for the new airfield. Runway construction was completed in 1944, civilian operation began in 1946, and a modern terminal building was dedicated on July 9, 1949.
