Flight delays at Seattle-Tacoma SEA

Why flights get delayed at SEA

Low cloud and fog

In fall and winter, low visibility reduces how many aircraft can use the closely spaced runways at once.

A tight site

Sea-Tac handles a large schedule on a compact airfield, so gates and taxiways back up quickly when flights run late.

Occasional snow and ice

Snow is uncommon but the region has limited equipment for it, so a little goes a long way.

Flying through SEA soon? How to prepare

• Time it well.
• Know your airline's commitments. Check what your airline has promised for delays and cancellations in our airline policy guides, or see how to check it yourself.
• Line up a backup. Note the next couple of flights on your route and the alternate airports below before you leave home.
• Connecting here? Keep both flights on one ticket and choose a layover with room to spare above the minimum connection time.

The full list is in our pre-trip checklist.

Airlines most affected

Seattle-Tacoma is a hub or major base for Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. When the airport slows down, these airlines have the most flights to re-plan, but they also have the most later departures to rebook you onto. What you are offered during a delay depends on the carrier.

Check the live status

• The FAA shows current ground stops and delay programs for SEA at nasstatus.faa.gov.
• Departure boards, terminal and security information are on the official Seattle-Tacoma website.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled at SEA

1. Find the real cause. Ask the gate agent, then compare it with the FAA status above. The cause decides what the airline owes you: see is it really a weather delay?
2. Know your refund right. If the flight is cancelled, or delayed three hours or more (six for international), you can decline to travel and get your money back.
3. Line up alternatives first. Look at later flights, other airlines and the alternate airports below before you reach the desk.
4. Ask for what the airline has committed to. For delays within its control, that usually means a meal after three hours and a hotel overnight. Here is what to say.

The full walkthrough is in what to do when your flight is delayed.

Alternate airports near SEA

If flights out of Seattle-Tacoma are sold out or cancelled, these airports are within a realistic drive. Distances are approximate road miles. See how to switch airports without losing your booking.