Current Sea-Tac News Provided By the Port of Seattle

Tips for your Holiday Trip
It's a busy time of year for air travel and if your holidays involve a trip from Sea-Tac Airport here are some tips and updates to help speed and ease your journey.

Check the status of your flight online or via text messaging before you leave home.

Check-in from home. Most airlines offer Web check-in. You can print your boarding pass at home; if you don't have luggage to check you can bypass the ticket counter completely and go straight through the security checkpoint and your gate.

New Options for Checking at Sea-Tac. 

• Checking In for Flights in Sea-Tac's Garage. Travelers on five airlines – Alaska, Continental, Horizon, Northwest and United - can check in and print their boarding pass right as they enter the Airport from the parking garage. The quick check-in kiosks enable travelers without luggage to print their boarding pass and head straight for the security checkpoint and their departure gate. Travelers with luggage on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air can get their boarding pass and then take their luggage right to their airline's bag drop area. The quick check-in kiosks are located on the fourth floor of the garage at the entrances to Skybridges 2-6.
  
• Alaska Airlines check-in facility features customer-friendly islands of check-in kiosks and bag-check stations. Customers can print their boarding passes at the check-in kiosks. Passengers with only carry-on baggage then proceed directly to the security checkpoint. Passengers with luggage to check proceed to one of the bag-check points, where customer service employees scan customers' boarding passes and affix bag tags.

Give yourself the gift of time. Get to the airport at least two hours before your flight. You'll be able to relax once you have check-in and security behind you and maybe even pick up that last minute gift at one of the Airport's great shops.

Pack with airport security in mind. Know what is and isn't allowed in carry-ons and checked luggage. Remember to leave checked luggage unlocked or use a TSA-approved lock (your luggage may be opened for security reasons).

Don't travel with wrapped gifts in checked or carry-on luggage. To avoid having to undo those gaily-decorated packages, carry the wrappings with you and wrap after you've arrived at your destination.

Know your limit. You're allowed to board the plane with only one carry-on bag and one personal item like a purse, briefcase or laptop. Most airlines have weight limits for checked luggage and will charge a hefty fee if you exceed them. Check directly with your airline for what flies.

Park in the Airport Garage. It's connected to the Main Terminal by covered skybridges (stay dry), you're right at the airport, no shuttle buses to deal with (save time) check out the discounted weekly rates (save money). And the Airport Garage's new floor count system takes the guess work out of finding available parking and speeds the journey from car to flight. Remember to note where you've parked (space number and elevator color).

> More Sea-Tac news and information - www.portseattle.org

> Sea-Tac Real-Time Flight Information - www.portseattle.org