The Guide to Seattle Airport Lounges

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (more commonly known as Sea-Tac or its airport code, SEA) is among the nation’s busiest airport facilities and has been named the best airport in North America in consecutive years by air transport rating agency Skytrax.

In addition to ongoing improvements to the airport’s infrastructure, the traveler experience has been enhanced with expansions and renovations of the airport's lounges.

Here’s what you need to know about Seattle’s airport lounges, including how to gain access and what you can expect once you’re inside.

SEA is a hub for Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, and serves dozens of other carriers on domestic and international routes. The facility has four main concourses (A, B, C and D) that connect at the Central Terminal, as well as two satellite concourses (N and S for North and South) that are accessible only by tram.

If you’re flying in a premium cabin, have airline elite status or hold a credit card with airport lounge access, there’s a good chance you’re eligible for complimentary admission to at least one Seattle airport lounge. If not, many lounges have day passes available for purchase.

Most lounges require you to show government-issued identification along with a same-day confirmed boarding pass. In some cases, admission is restricted to three hours before departure. All lounges in the Seattle airport offer complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and bathrooms not accessible to the general public, as well as the other amenities listed below.

The recently renovated Central Terminal is the hub of the Seattle airport, with abundant shops, restaurants and other services close at hand.

The central location makes it convenient for departures, but it’s a bit of a haul from the more far-flung gates, so plan accordingly if you’re connecting.

There are two lounges here: one airside and one landside.

AmEx Centurion Lounge in Seattle

• Located on the mezzanine level overlooking the south end of the Central Terminal, airside from security checkpoint 3.

• Complimentary access with the Centurion Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express when traveling on any airline, and with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Terms apply.

• Centurion cardholders have no time restrictions. Other cardholders may enter up to three hours before a scheduled departure or up to three hours before the lounge closes (with a scheduled departure after that time). Connecting passengers may enter upon arrival.

• You must present your valid, eligible AmEx card and physical government-issued ID for access.

AmEx opened this spacious lounge in February 2023, more than tripling the size of the previous location in the B concourse. Visitors can enjoy a buffet of hot and cold dishes and a coffee bar with lighter fare, a full-service premium bar, shower suites, private phone rooms and more.

With the recent upgrades, the AmEx Centurion Lounge is arguably the best lounge in Seattle airport history, and its location at the heart of the Central Terminal makes it the most convenient airport lounge Seattle has to offer.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Sea-Tac USO Center

• Located on the mezzanine level before security, above the Southwest Airlines ticketing counter.

• Free to traveling active and reserve service members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces, as well as their dependents.

• Armed forces retirees with appropriate ID may be admitted at the discretion of staff.

This space serves over 60,000 service members and their families annually. Amenities include hot and cold food and beverages, a recliner lounge and bunk room, luggage storage, and computer workstations with internet and printer access.

The three lounges in Seattle airport Concourse A are accessible from Concourse B either on foot or via the SEA Underground tram. The Delta Sky Club is only seconds from where the B concourse begins.

Delta Sky Club in Seattle

• Located by Gate A1.

• Departing passengers may enter up to three hours before scheduled flights; connecting passengers may enter at any time.

Passengers booked in Delta One on domestic or international flights (excluding the Caribbean) or in a SkyTeam partner’s premium cabin receive lounge access.

Certain credit card holders also receive a certain number of complimentary visits to the Sky Club lounge. These cards include the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, the Centurion card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. Terms apply.

Some premium class flyers or elite status holders with LATAM, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet also can receive access to the Sky Club lounge.

Finally, annual memberships to all Delta Sky Clubs are available for purchase by Medallion status holders. Prices start at $695.00 or 69,500 SkyMiles for an individual membership. Note that even if you hold a membership, you won’t be able to access the lounge if you’re flying in basic economy — unless you also hold an eligible American Express credit card.

This airy dual-level Sky Club is one of the finest lounges in the Seattle airport. Covering 21,000 square feet, the lounge has ample seating to avoid overcrowding. Visitors can enjoy hot and cold buffets with packaged snacks to go, self-serve coffee and soft drinks alongside a full-service bar, shower suites, a concierge desk and other amenities.

» Learn more: How to get Delta Sky Club access

United Club in Seattle

• Located on the mezzanine level of Concourse A, across from gate A10.

This lounge is open to those flying in a United or Star Alliance premium class cabin, Star Alliance Gold elite status holders flying on a United or Star Alliance flight and those holding a United Club membership or a one-day pass.

United Club membership prices begin at $650 or 85,000 miles annually. Membership is also included as a benefit if you hold the United Club℠ Infinite Card.

Active-duty U.S. military personnel may also be eligible for complimentary access.

The United Club offers less space and fewer amenities than other airline-branded Seattle airport lounges. The modest dining options include a soup and salad bar and light snacks, but there is a full-service bar.

The location is convenient if you’re flying United but less so if you’re departing from another concourse.

The Club at SEA

• Located near the end of Concourse A, across from gate A11.

• Complimentary access for Priority Pass, LoungeKey and Lounge Club members up to three hours before a scheduled departure or upon arrival. Day passes available for purchase.

• Infants under age 2 may enter for free. No other complimentary guest access.

Currently being refurbished, this lounge remains open during normal hours of operation. It offers standard amenities for The Club lounges, including a self-serve buffet with hot and cold options, snacks and a full-service bar. There’s also a business center with computer workstations, a printer and photocopier, and a conference room for meetings.

Terms apply.

This lounge lacks views, looking over the A gates on one side and local transit on the other. However, the location is far from the Central Terminal, so it gets less traffic than other Seattle airport lounge.

» Learn more: Are Priority Pass lounges usually crowded?

Alaska Airlines offers three Seattle airport lounges near C, D and N gates.

You can take the SEA Underground tram or walk directly between the C and D concourses. The N concourse is accessible only by tram.

Alaska Lounge (C gates)

• Located on the mezzanine level by gate C16 at the end of the C concourse.

• Complimentary access for Alaska Lounge members and immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21) or up to two guests; American Airlines Admirals Club and Concierge Key members; first class passengers on Alaska-operated flights over 2,100 miles; first and business class passengers on international Oneworld flights over five hours; some Alaska Airlines and Oneworld elite members; and others.

• Active-duty U.S. military personnel may also be eligible for complimentary or discounted access.

This lounge reopened in late 2022 after renovations that added 3,000 square feet, making it less prone to overcrowding during peak hours.

The space offers panoramic views of the airfield and the Olympic Mountains beyond, making it an ideal stop for planespotters. Amenities include a relatively modest hot and cold buffet, a full-service bar and a concierge desk.

» Learn more: Great hotels where #avgeeks can planespot up close

Alaska Lounge (D gates)

• Located airside from security checkpoint 4 near where the C and D concourses intersect.

This lounge’s proximity to the Central Terminal makes it the most convenient of the Alaska Lounges for those flying out of the A, B or S concourses. The trade off is that this location is the least scenic of the three, as it looks out on the apron between the C, D and N gates.

Renovated in 2023, the dual-level space offers an expanded buffet with hot and cold options, a barista station on the main level and a full-service bar with local craft brews and West Coast wines.

Alaska Lounge (N gates)

• Located on the mezzanine level of the N concourse above gates N13-18.

Serving as Alaska’s flagship lounge in Seattle, this location is the largest of the three at over 15,000 square feet. The layout has floor-to-ceiling windows and a wide variety of seating arrangements to accommodate parties of all sizes, including booths, recliners and private wingback chairs.

Amenities include a self-serve hot and cold buffet, a full-service coffee bar and a premium bar with local beers on tap, and a concierge desk for travel assistance.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for airport lounge access

The S concourse offers two lounge options for its 16 gates. You can’t get there on foot, so you’ll need to take the SEA Underground tram from the A or B concourses. Look for airport transit signs between gates A3 and A4 or at the end of Concourse B near gates B10-15.

British Airways Terraces Lounge

• Located on the mezzanine level of Concourse S; look for the elevator near gate S9.

• Complimentary access for first and business class passengers on British Airways and other Oneworld airlines; British Airways Executive Club Silver and Gold members; and Oneworld elite members traveling on Oneworld airlines. 

• Most access permits entry for one guest. Infants under age 2 may enter for free. 

British Airways plans to refresh this lounge with a new bar and enhanced menu offerings. In the meantime, amenities include self-serve snacks and beverages, a modest full-service bar, shower facilities and a business center.

The lounge enjoys a view of the south end of the airfield and the Olympic Mountains beyond. The separate business and first class lounge areas have similar amenities, though the smaller first class section tends to be less crowded.

The Club at SEA

• Located on the mezzanine level of Concourse S; look for the elevator near gate S9.

• Complimentary access for Priority Pass, LoungeKey and Lounge Club members up to three hours before a scheduled departure or upon arrival. Day passes available for purchase.

• Infants under age 2 may enter for free. No other complimentary guest access.

Formerly a Delta Sky Club, this space was rebranded and redecorated in 2022 to provide a second location for The Club lounges in the Seattle airport. At more than 8,000 square feet, this lounge provides seating for 165 with windows looking out over the south end of the airfield and (on a clear day) Mount Rainier.

Amenities include a modest self-serve buffet with hot and cold options, a full-service bar with signature cocktails and local craft beers, shower suites and a separate TV lounge.

While Seattle's AmEx Centurion Lounge and Delta Sky Clubs offer premium lounge experiences, all of the Seattle airport lounges provide the opportunity to relax, refresh and connect during your travels.