The Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea–Tac Airport or Sea–Tac /ˈsiːtæk/, is an American airport. It is located in SeaTac, Washington, at the intersections of State Routes 99, 509, and 518, about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) west of Interstate 5. It serves the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, as well as the rest of western Washington state.
The airport has service to destinations throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and East Asia. It is the primary hub for Alaska Airlines, whose headquarters is located near the airport, and its regional subsidiary Horizon Air.
In 2012, the airport served over 33.2 million passengers, making it the 15th-busiest airport in the United States. It ranks 23rd in total aircraft operations and 21st in total cargo volume. The airport is the largest generator of vehicle trips in the state, and its 13,000-car parking garage is recognized as the world’s largest parking structure under one roof.
SEATTLE TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HISTORY
The airport was constructed by the Port of Seattle in 1944 to serve civilians of the region, after the U.S. military took control of Boeing Field for use in World War II. The Port received $1 million from the Civil Aeronautics Administration to build the airport, and $100,000 from the City of Tacoma. The first scheduled airline flights were Northwest and Trans-Canada in 1947; Western and United moved from Boeing Field in the next couple of years, and Pan Am in 1952–53, but West Coast stayed at Boeing Field until after the Hughes merger. Two years later “international” was added to the airport’s name as Northwest Airlines began direct service to Tokyo, Japan. In 1951 four runways were at 45-degree angles, from 5,000 to 6,100 ft long; the NE-SW and NW-SE runways intersected just west of the N-S runway that eventually became today’s runway 34R. The runway was lengthened twice, first in 1959 to allow jets and in 1961 to handle traffic for the upcoming Century 21 World’s Fair.
Jeppesen airport diagrams for 1956 and 1966
SEATTLE TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LOCATION
SEATTLE TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FACTS
ICAO/IATA: KSEA/SEA
Lat: 47°26′56″N
Long: 122°18′34″W
Elevation: 433 ft.
Runway length available: 16R/34L 9426×150 ft. :: 16L/34R 11900×150 ft. :: 16C/34C 9426×150 ft.
