Holiday travel rush in full swing, 172k people expected to pass through SEA Airport
Holiday travel ramps up at SeaTac Airport
Around 2 million people are expected to pass through Sea-Tac Airport through January 2, but Friday was projected to be the busiest.
SEATAC, Wash. - If you’re headed to the airport, get ready for a lot of company. Two million people are expected to pass through SEA Airport through January 2, with Friday being the busiest, as 172,000 people are expected to arrive, depart or connect through the airport.
"Get here early, make sure to be punctual, you can see the people who are late and see the stress on their faces and you don’t want to be that person," one traveler told FOX 13.
As of Friday afternoon, SEA Airport Spokesperson Perry Cooper told FOX 13 as of Friday, so far, things appear to be moving well.
"Yesterday and today our average wait times at this time appear to be average wait times, 11-15 minutes and pretty much everything has been under 30 minutes overall," Cooper said.
Outside of the airport there was another typical sight for this time of year: lines and lines of cars. Cooper said there may be a way to avoid this though, if you take advantage of the airport’s free 90-minute parking in the garage from 8 p.m. to midnight through Dec. 27.
"If you go in the garage by going International Boulevard and entering from the south end of the garage on 182nd Street, then you’ll avoid the north expressway coming down and that gets you directly into the garage and you don’t have to be on the congestion of the drives as well," Cooper said.
He adds, you also might also see some holiday characters and carolers to help ease the stress and anxiety some travelers might have when flying.
Top 25 search queries of 2024
A look back at the top 25 search queries that brought people to FOX 13 Seattle's website in 2024.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13
Here is the salary needed for a family of 4 in WA
Who is Shon Barnes? Seattle's new chief of police
Attack on German Christmas market injures at least 68 people; 2 killed
Seattle police ID suspect in deadly Metro bus driver stabbing
Government shutdown latest: After House rejects Trump-backed plan, what’s next?
Seattle Starbucks workers to go on strike
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.