This traditional Pacific port of entry is easy to use.

Seattle’s historic ties of trade with and immigration from Asia, its many technology and service companies, and its relatively short flying times have attracted many airlines to start Transpacific service here.

1. •Delta Airlines offers daily nonstops to Tokyo, where you can connect on to Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Beijing. Delta begins nonstop service to Osaka (not very good for connections to China) and Beijing in June 2010.
   

2. •Korean Air - in the SkyTeam alliance with Delta - offers 5-per-week nonstop service to their massive hub at Seoul-Incheon. Some same-day connections are available to interior Chinese cities; many more can be reached with an overnight stay (Incheon has a hotel inside the terminal for just this reason.) Korean Air offers well-timed return connections from Guangzhou.
   

3. •United Airlines also offers a daily Tokyo nonstop, but you can reach only Hong Kong with a same-day connection. An overnight stay at Narita is necessary to use the many Star Alliance morning flights into China. Returning, you would need to exit through Hong Kong to make a Seattle connection.
   

4. •Asiana Airlines - in the Star Alliance with United - runs a 5-per-week nonstop to Seoul-Incheon. A few interior Chinese cities can be reached same-day; otherwise an overnight stay is needed. Returns from Guangzhou are convenient.
   

5. •Hainan Airlines, an independent Chinese carrier, flies nonstop 4 times per week to Beijing, where they offer excellent same-day connections to many interior cities. Returns from Guangzhou are also excellently-timed.
   

6. •EVA Airways flies five times per week nonstop to Taipei. Airlines from Taiwan have only recently been allowed to fly into the mainland; your best connections on EVA are to Fujian and Guangdong provinces. The return flight into Seattle arrives too late in the evening to make same-day onward flights, and the departure from Seattle leaves at 1:50 in the morning.
   

                   

Domestically, Seattle is the headquarters and main hub for Alaska Airlines and their commuter arm, Horizon Air, as well as a major base for Delta (who code-shares extensively with Alaska/Horizon.) Sea-Tac is also a major base for United-Continental, who also operates a small commuter operation here. These two networks link Seattle to every major city in the Pacific and Alaska time zones, and every second-tier city in the Pacific Northwest.

Every major US airline serves SEA, including the low-cost carriers Southwest, JetBlue, Virgin America, and AirTran. No matter which frequent-flyer program you’re on, or part of the country you’re from, you’ll have numerous options.

                   

Customs Arrival

All international flights arrive at the South Satellite. As you deplane, you’ll be directed along ramps to the level below the gate area. Even though many overseas flights arrive midday, waiting time for passport checks and luggage retrieval usually takes between 30 to 60 minutes. (Even on domestic flights, Sea-Tac’s baggage delivery is super-speedy; your suitcases will be at the carrousel before you can get there.)

After clearing Customs, if you have an onward flight, stop at the baggage re-check counters, then go through security screening, and walk over to the underground tram stop (for Delta flights, head upstairs; for all other carriers, take the tram to the main terminal, where you can access all other gates.)

If Seattle is your final destination, after you’ve picked up your bags and gone through the declaration line, you’ll set your bags back down on a high-speed conveyor belt which will zip them over to Baggage Claim carrousel #1 in the main terminal. Meanwhile, you and your family will bypass security and get on an isolated tram car which will take you to the Baggage Claim exit. (You don’t want to cram that car full of everybody’s bags...)

                   

Navigating the Airport

The Sea-Tac complex uses an X-shaped layout: Concourses A and B extend south of the central terminal, while Concourses C and D run north. There are two satellite gate areas, South and North.

                   

Concourse A houses American, JetBlue, Frontier, USAirways, Virgin America, AirTran, and Hawaiian. On Concourse B you’ll find Southwest and Continental. Concourses C and D are the heart of Alaska / Horizon’s hub operation, and some Alaska flights also operate from the North Satellite, where you’ll also find United. All Delta flights operate from the South Satellite.

                   

While Sea-Tac is spread out, walking times are quite short thanks to three underground tram lines, all inside the security zone. Using the trams, you can move from the South Satellite to the North Satellite in less than 15 minutes. Concourse A is the longest, but has been equipped with moving sidewalks for speedy transit.

The entire complex has been freshly renovated with wide corridors, expansive windows, and engaging art. On clear days you can see the Cascade Mountains and islands in Puget Sound. Even on overcast days the terminal is filled with natural light.

Family-friendly Amenities and Hidden Gems

A large play area is located between the central food court and the beginning of the A-Concourse. There’s also plenty of seating for parents, too.

If you have several hours between flights, and children who want to stretch their legs, the far end of the A-Concourse (gates A11-A14) is currently unoccupied. There are great views there on a sunny day, and you can often have the entire area to yourselves.

Another semi-secret gem is the Atrium at the south end of the ticketing counters. This area is outside security (so you’ll need to be screened again to get to your flight), but the open space, rocks to clamber over, and seating outside for fresh air are worth a visit if you have time.

Restrooms

Several family restrooms are available on every concourse and satellite. In addition, the stalls in regular restrooms incorporate several sturdy coathooks, plus a shelf above the toilet, making it much easier to manage your cargo and children. Cleanliness is very good, and the facilities are uniformly in excellent condition.

                   

                 

Food and Shopping

Sea-Tac offers some gift/newsstand options on each concourse and satellite, at least one sit-down restaurant and several fast-food counters; often one will feature Asian cuisine. And coffeeshops, lots and lots of coffeeshops (and not just Starbucks.)

            

For the most diverse selection of gifts, a good-sized Borders bookshop, numerous sit-down restaurants, and additional fast-food options, go to the central food court, where all four concourses converge and the view is amazing. There are several shops here with kids’ sections, as well.

Connectivity

WiFi is available throughout the terminal and gate areas at no charge!

Seattle’s light rail line was extended to the airport in December 2009, allowing access north to Chinatown / International District (about 25 minutes) and the central Downtown corridor (about 30 minutes.)