How early should I be at Seattle Tacoma (SEA)?
Arrive 3 to 3.5 hours before an international flight and 2 to 2.5 hours before a domestic flight.
Source: Port of Seattle: Early Bird's Guide to SEA, checked 5 Nov 2026.
How early to be at SEA
- International flights
- 3 to 3.5 hours before departure
- Domestic flights
- 2 to 2.5 hours before departure
From the airport's own advice. source
When check-in closes
- Cathay Pacific: 60 min before international flights (source)
- EVA Air: 60 min before international flights (source)
- Singapore Airlines: 50 min before international flights (source)
These are the airline's own rules and they always win: after check-in closes, you can't fly.
An estimate, never a promise. Check your airline before you go. How we work this out