Construction at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will impact some passengers, particularly those flying with Alaska Airlines, traveling out of the airport starting tonight. Sea-Tac experienced a cyberattack last month and continues to work around the clock to fully recover its systems.
SEA to begin new construction works
The airport’s Skybridge 3 – which connects the parking area to the ticketing area of the main terminal – will be closed as “major construction” work takes place in the north area of Alaska Airlines’ ticketing area. According to a report by FOX 13 Seattle, airport officials said the move will disrupt passengers’ ability to travel between the main terminal and ticketing levels.
Sea-Tac’s official X account added,
“The north end of the Alaska Airlines Ticketing will be undergoing major construction with limited or no access to the main terminal via Ticketing Level.”
To ease the expected congestion, the airport has rolled out extra Alaska Airlines bag tag stations on the bridge level that can process bag drops and check-ins.
Revamp continues
The airport is in the process of a major overhaul as part of its $4.6 billion ‘Upgrade SEA’ project, consisting of over 120 projects. This initiative aims to modernize the airport’s facilities and improve the passenger experience at an airport that has earned notoriety for long security lines extending out into the car park on occasion.
The airport has recently completed revamping two checkpoints and plans to complete most of its Upgrade SEA project by the summer of 2026. This is just in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Seattle scheduled to host six games.
Photo: Davslens – davslens.com | Shutterstock
It is a challenge to renovate Sea-Tac due to its small size, making it almost impossible to avoid disruption when renovations take place. With the airport ranking as the 11th busiest in the US last year, there is also an expansion proposal on the table – dubbed the “Sustainable Airport Master Plan” – that would add 19 gates to the airport’s north side.
Cyberattack system recovery
SEA was left reeling from a suspected cyberattack last week that crippled its systems, causing disruption across the airport. According to the latest update on Monday, operations are “running smoothly” amid high holiday season traffic, although baggage claim and flight information display systems are still returning “in a phased approach.”
Photo: RaksyBH / Shutterstock
As per the Port of Seattle’s website,
“All airlines are listed at this time for baggage claim except for Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Aeromexico, and United. Flight information displays are also coming on with all airline information except for Delta and United.”
It has advised passengers to use airline apps for more information on gates and baggage claim arrivals. It said that delays and TSA lines are currently minimal, while airlines experiencing outages are expected to return to normality in the coming days.