MYNORTHWEST NEWS

More than 2.5 million travelers will pass through Sea-Tac Airport over holidays

Dec 15, 2017, 6:32 AM | Updated: 6:36 am

Sea-Tac Airport relief flight...

(AP file photo)

(AP file photo)

Sea-Tac Airport expects more than 2.5 million travelers to pass through its doors between Dec. 15 and Jan. 2, 2018, making it the most crowded holiday travel season it will have ever experienced.

Sea-Tac will be America’s ninth-busiest airport during the holiday season, according to the Port of Seattle. An estimated 2,507,200 travelers will arrive, depart, or connect through the airport.

RELATED: Sea-Tac turning to robots to speed up travel times

“The busiest time is really the morning,” said Perry Cooper with Sea-Tac Airport. “That’s when the majority of our flights are outbound … we have our first lines begin from 4-4:30 in the morning as people are looking at 5:30-6 a.m. flights to get out on. You’ll see checkpoint lines busy up until noon.”

Most traveled days will be:

  • Friday, Dec. 22: 157,800 travelers
  • Thursday, Dec. 21: 154,900 travelers
  • Friday, Dec. 15: 152,500 travelers

Least traveled days will be:

  • Sunday Dec. 31: 99,700 travelers
  • Monday, Jan. 1: 108,700 travelers
  • Sunday, Dec. 24: 109,200 travelers

The projections are considerably larger than just one year ago when the Port of Seattle estimated that about 135,000 travelers would move through the airport on each of its busiest days. That was the sixth consecutive year that the airport hit a new high record for travelers. If 2017 beats that, it means the airport hits a new record.

While the holidays are busy, the busiest time to travel through Sea-Tac is during the summer season.

MyNorthwest News

This NOAA satellite image shows the magnitude of the storm moving inland from the Pacific Ocean. (P...

Ted Buehner, KIRO Newsradio Meteorologist

What to expect as Western Washington’s first big fall storm arrives Saturday night

The fall season’s first strong weather system will sweep through Western Washington tonight, bringing strong winds and rain.

35 minutes ago

Pierce County man sentenced child sex crimes...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Pierce County man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for child sex crimes

A Pierce County man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after attempting to arrange the sexual abuse of children and producing child sexual abuse material, federal prosecutors announced.

9 hours ago

home listings...

Frank Lenzi

Home listings jump more than 25%: Is it a buyer’s market?

If you’re thinking about buying a house, now might be a good time: Home listings have risen, and pending sales have declined.

21 hours ago

Grays Harbor...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Grays Harbor deputies seek information about deadly hit-and-run near Satsop

The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help after a 53-year-old man was found dead along a road near Satsop last week.

21 hours ago

first responders...

Luke Duecy

Renton firefighter shot while responding to call highlights dangers facing first responders

A Renton firefighter was shot. The shooting is another example of the dangers first responders face while trying to help people in crisis.

22 hours ago

Macklemore (3)...

Julia Dallas

Macklemore says Climate Pledge Arena among venues that rejected his ‘Free Palestine Tour’

Macklemore said several venues, including Climate Pledge Arena, have rejected his efforts to bring his “Free Palestine Tour” to the U.S.

22 hours ago

More than 2.5 million travelers will pass through Sea-Tac Airport over holidays