Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Continent: North America

Country: United States

Region: Washington

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Location	Seattle, Washington
IATA code	SEA
ICAO code	KSEA
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower	119.9
Ground	121.7
Clearance	128.0
Approach	119.2, 120.1, 120.4, 125.9, 126.5
ATIS	118.0

Official Spotting Locations

None

The "Viewpoint Park" overlook on the West side was closed in 2001, and has now disappeared under the 3rd runway.

Other Spotting Locations

Golf Course

To the immediate S. of the airport is the Tyee Valley Golf Course. Assuming you're not playing a round, there are a couple of spots nearby. The car park offers views of arrivals on both runways although the trees can get in the way.

A road goes around the W. side of the course allowing for spotting runway 34R traffic (that on 34L flies directly overhead), but the subjects for photos will be a bit high and it's only good in the afternoon on sunny days. The road bends halfway down so has 2 names - 18th Ave. S. and/or S196th St.

Water Tank

To the N. of the airport is a small park at 24th. Ave S. and S146th St. Arriving traffic on the 16s can be logged and photographed from here. There is room for about 4 cars to park. The Port of Seattle police occasionally patrol here although technically it's not airport property. A quick ID check and they'll leave you alone.

Parking Garage

A good place to spot is on the northwest side on the eighth floor on the Seatac parking garage. The northwest side is the only suitable area on the eighth floor to view planes on the tarmac or runway. The eighth floor of the parking garage is used for weekly parking, so if you plan to park in the parking garage, you can do so on floor four only.

Locations to Avoid

Eastern Perimeter

Pretty much anywhere along here, from the fire station to the FedEx facility is off-limits. The Port police will respond very quickly to anyone "loitering" around here and move offenders on.

Cargo

This used to be a good spot, but the fence is now covered in plastic and "No Trespassing" signs.

Regular Traffic

Domestic Airlines

Alaska Airlines (737, MD-80), Horizon Air (CRJ-700, Q200, Q400), United Airlines (EMB-120, 737, 757, 767, 777, A320), Southwest Airlines (737), Frontier (A318/319/320), jetBlue (A320), US Airways/America West (A319, A320, A321, 757), Continental (737, 757), Delta (737, 757, 767, MD-90, MD-88, CRJ-200/-700), American Airlines (MD-80, 757, 737), Northwest (A319, A320, A330, 757), AirTran (737), Air Canada/Jazz (A319, ERJ-190, Q300), Hawaiian (767), and Sun Country (737).

International Airlines

Eva Air (747), Korean Air (777), British Airways (747), SAS (A340), Asiana (777), and China Air (A340)

Cargo

FedEx (DC/MD-10, MD-11, A300, 727, Caravan, ATR-42), China Airlines Cargo (747), Martin Air Cargo (MD-11), China Southern Cargo (MD-11), and Cargolux (747)