Air travel through SEA running fairly smoothly heading into the weekend
SEATAC, Wash. - Thursday was set to be another big travel day for those flying in and out of Seattle.
Airport officials said 146,000 people were expected to stream through the airport as part of a last big push heading into the weekend.
Passengers told FOX 13 things were running smoothly for the most part. There were a few delays coming in and out of SEA Airport on Thursday night, but not that many.
Many of the travelers we talked to were still in the Christmas spirit, especially some of the younger passengers.
Sofia and sister Annabella traveled through SEA Airport, riding their luggage with wheels.
Annabella said if her suticase were a horse, or reindeer, she'd name it "Chippy."
The kids' suitcases also contained precious cargo, gifts from Santa.
"This is the annual Christmas trip with my wife’s family," said Roberto Haza, flying back from Park City. "We just go to ski a few days at Park City."
Although there was a flight delay for the family out of Utah, Haza says Santa managed to pull off the trip anyway. He said the family sat down for a longer lunch while they were waiting.
"Went like every family trip goes; flight delays, family get-togethers, dinners and Santa puzzles to discover how to make it happen, but it went well, they really enjoyed it."
"We are returning from Austin, Texas," said traveler Molly MacNeil-Reynolds.
Molly, her husband and son, and dog Huey, were traveling from Austin, Texas to Leavenworth.
"Going skiing. Very excited," Said Molly. "This is Jack, and this is my husband Jordan."
She said her flight went smoothly as well.
SEA Airport officials said two million people were expected to pass through the airport through January 2nd.
"I just came from Denver, but I’m supposed to live in Seattle," said Lillie Dye, seven-years-old.
This mother-daughter duo rolled in from the Rockies.
"We celebrated Christmas and I got a mini claw machine and one of my cousins named Winston got a giant Hot Wheels," said Lillie.
Sarah Sing, who lives in Ballard, was returning from Denver Thursday afternoon.
"We did some inner tubing in Denver," said Sing.
She says one of the best holiday gifts was an easy flight.
"Flying was super easy this year, no delays. It was great," said Sing.
Annabella and Sofia say before their flight, Santa left a special note for them that read,
"I left you gifts at my house," Annabella said.
On Thursday night, the Flight Aware website was reporting there were at least nine delays and one cancelation at SEA Airport.
Because it's still a busy time here, officials at the airport always suggest that you keep an eye on traffic patterns, and if you are picking up friends or family and the arrivals area is tied up, have them meet you for pickup in departures, and vice versa.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX SEATTLE
WA Avalanche Warning in effect for Cascades
1 injured, 1 on the run after shooting in Gold Bar, WA
Woman climbs onto wing of Alaska Airlines plane at Seattle airport due to 'anxiety'
1 dead, 2 injured in head-on Christmas Day crash in Poulsbo, WA
Timeline: Bird flu outbreak kills big cats at shelter south of Seattle
New fines coming in 2025 for WA license plate law
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily Fox Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX Seattle FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.