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Questions about SEATAC flight transfer

Posted by (The Shire) on

I will be using SEATAC airport for the very first time as a connection hub for a trip to Europe next week; and will be flying Delta for my whole itinerary with only carry-on bag. I have questions about domestic-to-international as well as international-to-domestic transfer:

  1. Domestic to International: Upon arriving at either A Gates or B Gates; since I only have carry-on and would have my boarding pass, can I just ride the underground shuttle train (Blue South Loop) to S terminal and skip TSA security. Here I'm assuming the underground train is on the airside.

  2. International to Domestic:

  • Arrives at S Gates: I know I can walk to IAF (baggage reclaim, passport control & customs) via the very long aerial bridge. Can I ride the underground train to A Gates then walk to IAF from there?

  • Arrives at A Gates: I can just follow the sign and walk to IAF from A Gates since they're very close to each other.

All feedbacks or suggestions are much appreciated.

Posted by
2784 posts

  1. Yes, just take the train to the S gates.

  2. No, you can’t take the train.

My biggest recommendation is to download the Mobile Passport Control app if you don’t have CLEAR, Global Entry, etc. It’s free. It is a HUGE timesaver, with a special line for passport control. The last time we flew through SEA, there was a massive line. There was one group in front of us at the MPC line.

Posted by
8465 posts

In case you hate open heights as much as I do, there’s an elevator option instead of the long, long elevator on that sky bridge. Fortunately, the last two times, my Delta plane stopped at an A gate.

Posted by
161 posts

@travel4fun:
I've read quite a few online comments about the crowded situation at SEATAC passport control; so glad that I have Global Entry. I really appreciate the convenience of having it when returning from abroad, no more waiting in long lines. I also have MPC app as a backup just in case. Thanks for your confirmation and suggestion.

@Jean:
Yah I'm not looking forward to riding that super long escalator; I just googled it and it's 191 feet in total. Glad that elevator option is available! Thanks for the tip!

Posted by
9327 posts

If you don’t have checked bags, then the walk from S gates to passport control is the longest part of the process. Hint: skip the first bathrooms you see after going over skybridge, take the escalator down to baggage claim, turn left, and go to the bathrooms straight ahead. Never a line there. Then stay on the left side of baggage claim and move toward passport control. Global entry is on far left. Do face scan and you are on the way. There are two possible exit paths. The one on the right side is for connections. Don’t go down ramp on left.

I don’t see the long escalators as that big of a deal. I wouldn’t stress too much over them.

Posted by
161 posts

@Carol:
Great information and I will keep these in mind. Thanks for sharing them!

Posted by
3184 posts

Jean--I hate that escalator. Whoever approved that design should find another job, IMO.

Posted by
15645 posts

3rd vote for hating the escalators from S gates to the Skybridge and inbound Immmigration! I do not like heights and yes, they are a big deal to me. I try to ride behind someone else either up or down. Last time I came in from Paris at the "A" gates so that was good.

IF you have time for food, the Floret Cafe near Gate A1 is excellent. I often get a spicy hummus wrap to go and they have the best vegan coconut cake I've ever had! Yum.

Fingers crossed you have an "A" gate in both directions!

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