Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the primary gateway to Washington State, is a hub for two major airlines. They are Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and hometown carrier Alaska Airlines. Alaska and Delta are valuable airline brands and operate their hubs at SEA to serve a range of domestic and international destinations. This guide will take a closer look at Alaska’s and Delta’s operations at the Seattle hub.
Before jumping into the details, let’s discuss the airlines serving SEA Airport.
Which airlines fly in and out of Seattle?
About 50 domestic and international airlines (both passenger and cargo) serve Seattle International Airport. Major domestic passenger carriers include Alaska Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Frontier, JetBlue, United, Spirit, and Southwest Airlines. Likewise, the significant international carriers flying in and out of Seattle include British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, etc.
Also Read: Delta JFK terminal, JFK Terminal-2 and Terminal 4 of JFK Airport
Alaska’s hub at Seattle Airport
SeaTac-headquartered Alaska Airlines operates its massive hub at SEA Airport, accounting for nearly half of the total passenger traffic at SEA. SEA Airport is the largest hub across Alaska’s global network, connecting over 20 million passengers to 100+ domestic and international destinations.
Alaska Airlines is a key player at Seattle Airport and offers the most efficient and profitable network of flights for customers throughout the region. SEA Airport hosts a central terminal with four concourses (A, B, C, D) and the North and South Satellites. There are a total of 94 gates in 4 concourses; 16 in concourse A, 17 in B, 27 in C, and 17 in concourse D. North Satellite and South Satellite comprise 20 gates and 14 gates, respectively, respectively.
The SeaTac airline company operates its flights out of Concourses A, B, C, D, N, and S Satellites at SEA Airport. All international arrival flights operated by Alaska are at the S and A Concourse.
Alaska’s Seattle hub features a route system spanning over 80 destinations across the US, Mexico, and Canada. Both domestic and international Alaska Airlines passengers pass through Seattle Tarmac International Airport. SEA Airport connects the highest number of Alaska customers to domestic cities of Anchorage, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, San Francisco, Chicago, Portland, etc. On the other hand, the airport receives many passengers traveling internationally with Alaska Airlines to Vancouver, Victoria, Cancun, etc.
Alaska passengers can access the ticket counter between 3:30 am and 12: 05 am. Those traveling with bags must check them during ticket counter hours. Alaska Airlines has fixed the daily baggage hours from 4:30 am to 1:00 am.
SEA Airport provides Alaska customers with free wi-fi, an Alaska lounge, a kids’ area, a family restroom, CLEAR service, TSA Pre, etc.
Delta’s hub at Seattle Airport
Seattle Airport is the primary West Coast hub of Delta Air Lines, ranking eighth-largest across Delta’s globe-spanning network. Delta Air Lines operates out of this hub to major US and regional destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
Besides, SEA Airport is Delta’s international gateway and routes many Western US traffic to Asian cities. The bustling airport well-connects Delta passengers to airports in Seoul, Shanghai, Tokyo, Beijing, etc.
Delta is the second-largest operator in Seattle and ferries more than 10 million annual passengers through SEA. From SEA, Delta serves the most international destinations of any carrier operating in Seattle/Tacoma. Between Sep 2021 and Aug 2022, Delta accounted for 19.42% of the airline market share at SEA with 7.5 million passengers.
Delta’s Seattle hub directly connects to over 40 domestic and international destinations. The busiest domestic routes from Delta’s Seattle hub include Los Angeles, Anchorage, Las Vegas, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Denver, San Francisco, Portland, San Diego, etc. Other major airports served by Delta’s hub in Seattle include Austin, Chicago O’Hare, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, etc.
Delta Air Lines is Seattle’s largest global airline operating the busiest international routes to Vancouver, London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Paris Charles de Gaulle, etc.
The Atlanta-based carrier uses terminal A/B or S to operate its mainline flights at SEA. All Delta international customers arriving at SEA can experience the comfort and convenience of the International Arrivals Facility spread over 450 000 sq. feet. The construction of IAF started in 2017 and was completed in March 2022.
Delta passengers moving through SEA can get refreshments and escape from the terminal’s hustle and bustle at Delta Sky Club. It is located at Concourse A near gate 1 and operates between 4:15 am and 12: 00 am.
