Seattle Tacoma Airport Security Wait Times Guide
SEA Flight Delays
Before you head to the airport, be sure to check if there are departure delays at Seattle Airport, or use our flight tracker to track the status of a specific flight.
Security Checkpoints - Location & Hours
DCA has three security checkpoints serving different airlines with specific operating hours.
Terminal 1 Checkpoint
- Location: Gates A1 - A9
- Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck (Air Canada, Frontier, Southwest)
- Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Terminal 2 North Checkpoint
- Location: Gates D35 - D45 and E46 - E59
- Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck (American Airlines)
- Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Terminal 2 South Checkpoint
- Location: Gates B10 - B22 and C23 - C34
- Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck (Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, United; also American Airlines)
- Hours: Opens daily 4:00 AM - 9:00 PM
See information below for CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck (via CLEAR) enrollment hours and locations.
All data is subject to change by the Airport, TSA, CLEAR, or other authorities.
TSA PreCheck at SEA
The TSA PreCheck program offers travelers an expedited security screening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) among other participating airports. Members of PreCheck can enjoy benefits such as not having to remove their shoes, light outerwear, and belts, and not having to take out laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids from their carry-on bags during security checks.
Where to Use TSA PreCheck at SEA:
- TSA PreCheck is available at Checkpoints 1 and 4 within SEA.
- This service is primarily for frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs.
Learn More About TSA PreCheck:
- For detailed information on how to enroll in PreCheck, visit iFly TSA PreCheck Guide.
Participating Airlines at SEA:
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Alaska Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- American Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- British Airways
- Condor Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- EVA Air
- Emirates
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Icelandair
- Japan Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Korean Air
- Lufthansa
- Norwegian Air
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- United Airlines
- Volaris
iFly Tip: Visit our Baggage Cutoff Times page for tips on managing your luggage effectively.
CLEAR Plus & TSA PreCheck Enrollment
Streamline your security process at SEA Airport with CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck. This section provides enrollment information for these services via CLEAR, using biometric authentication and advanced technology. You can enroll in CLEAR Plus and/or TSA PreCheck at designated CLEAR enrollment locations. Start your enrollment online and visit the enrollment location with your U.S. Passport or another acceptable ID to complete the final steps in person. Enroll in TSA PreCheck today. You can choose TSA PreCheck alone or bundle it with CLEAR Plus at a discount.
CLEAR Lane Locations:- Checkpoint 1
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment: 4:00am - 5:30pm
- Checkpoint 2
- Standard: 4:00am - 10:00pm
- Checkpoint 2 hours will vary based on security screening operations. If closed, please head to the Lane at Checkpoint 3.
- Checkpoint 3
- Standard: 4:00am - 10:00pm
- Checkpoint 4
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment: 4:00am - 10:00pm
- Checkpoint 2
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment: 4:00am - 10:00pm
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment: 6:00am - 8:00pm
- Checkpoint 3
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment: 4:00am - 10:00pm
- Checkpoint 4
- CLEAR Plus Enrollment: 4:00am - 10:00pm
For more detailed information about the CLEAR program, including locations and available airports, visit the CLEAR Airport Security Guide.
How to Check SEA Airport Security Wait Times
Follow these three simple steps to check security wait times on this page:
Step 1: Find the Checkpoint Times section. Scroll to the bottom of the page or click the “Check Wait Times” button in the SEA Average Checkpoint Times widget.
Step 2: Choose your arrival time. Use the dropdown menu to select when you plan to reach security.
Step 3: View estimated wait times. The site will display the average wait time for your selected period.
Tips for Using Wait Times
- Wait times are estimates: Actual conditions may vary due to crowd levels and security delays.
- Arrive early during peak hours: Security lines are often longer in the mornings and around holidays.
- Check the official airport site: Some airports provide real-time security wait times for each checkpoint. Visit SEA Airport’s official website and search for "security wait times" to see if this feature is available.
Lost Items at TSA Checkpoints
If you've misplaced an item at a TSA checkpoint or in checked baggage at Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA), you should contact the airport's Lost and Found immediately. For more information and to report your lost item, you can reach the TSA Lost Items Contact at +1-206-787-5312. Remember to provide a detailed description of your item, including color and any distinctive features, to help with its identification and recovery.
About SEA Security Wait Times
The security wait times shown for Seattle Tacoma Airport are computed using a comprehensive examination of historical flight records and TSA staffing timetables. Utilizing sophisticated data evaluation techniques, various 3rd party services, and publicly available data sets to offer fairly precise estimates of wait times at SEA. However, it's important to realize that these estimates may vary due to unforeseen incidents. The TSA advises passengers to get to the airport well before their planned flight departure time.
We strive to assist you in your travel preparations by delivering reliable estimates of security checkpoint wait times. We also recommend contacting your airline for information on ticket counter wait times and any potential changes to your flight schedule. These factors should be taken into account when deciding when to arrive at SEA. Keep in mind, each airline has its own suggested and mandatory arrival times.
iFly Tip: Learn the best practices for flying with toddlers from our flying with toddlers guide.
About this Page: Please note that while we strive to keep the content on this page current and accurate, we cannot guarantee it due to the ever-changing nature of airports and airlines; for more details about our data and practices, refer to our Trust & Transparency statement. To report any data issues, use our feedback form.
TSA Pre Check at SEA
Terminal MAIN
Checkpoint 1
Checkpoint 3
Checkpoint 4
Offsite Checkpoint
Tips, Help & Resources
iFly.com can help you get to, through, and between airports around the world. Here are some things you may need to know that can assist you during your journey specific to SEA:
- Once you get through security, pull up the interactive Seattle Tacoma airport terminals map to navigate to your gate, and see all the SEA restaurant and shopping options along the way.
- Remember that a great low-cost alternative to parking within the SEA airport facility is to use an off-airport parking lot. They offer lower costs, a bit further away from the terminals.
- If you have some time before your flight's departure, be sure to grab a bite, peruse the shops, or jump on the free wifi.
- The next time you need to fly from the Seattle area, don't forget to check nearby airports to compare with SEA airports' flight fares.
Seattle Tacoma Airport wait times Q&A
Find more help here for your journey through the airport