Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA), Washington
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) serves the Seattle metropolitan area roughly six nautical miles from the city core and ranks as a Tier 1 facility with three paved concrete runways, the longest stretching 11,901 feet. The airport is towered, staffed around the clock, and holds on-site CBP inspection services, making it a full-service option for international arrivals. Business aviation shares the field with a much larger volume of airline traffic, and operators should expect a layout with numerous wingspan-based taxiway restrictions rather than a simple GA ramp environment. Nearby options for GA-focused operations include Boeing Field / King County International and Renton Municipal, both within five nautical miles.
Runways
Seattle-Tacoma International has three paved runways. The longest, 16L/34R, is 11,901 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Seattle-Tacoma International has Jet A and Jet A1 available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Seattle-Tacoma International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Seattle-Tacoma International recorded 4,593 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in August. Business aviation traffic at KSEA concentrates in the summer months, peaking in August according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month August, 533 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Seattle-Tacoma International averages 1.8 days above 90°F in July, 7.2 freeze days in December and 0.7 snow days in February. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 77.6°F, and December the coldest, at 47.0°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Seattle-Tacoma International has published operating constraints in six categories: access, runway notes, noise procedures, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Prior permission is required for all GA parking and services; contact the operator. Operating hours are 0700 to 2100 local, with a call-out available upon request.
Aircraft with a wingspan of 171 feet or more parked at passenger gates or Cargo 7 must provide 30 minutes prior permission before pushback to Seattle Ramp Tower when visibility is less than 2400 RVR.
Runway status lights are in operation.
Runway 16L/34R is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 260 feet or less.
The use of reverse thrust beyond what is necessary for operational or safety reasons is discouraged at all times. Noise abatement flight procedures are in effect between 2200 and 0600 local. For further information, contact the Seattle noise abatement office.
Conserve taxi movements to takeoff at Seattle-Tacoma Intl. When practical, safe, and available, conserving taxi to takeoffs is encouraged. Conserving taxi to takeoffs may reduce aircraft noise within nearby communities.
To minimize noise, fuel burn, and jet blast, operators are advised to use the minimum required thrust when taxiing in the vicinity of the terminal or aircraft parking areas.
Bird flocks are present on and in the vicinity of the airport; check local advisories.
Report bird strikes to the airport authority.
PCR VALUE: 1002/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 1147/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 866/R/B/W/T
Flight notification service (ADCUS) is available.
Helicopters landing and departing should avoid overflying the fuel farm located at the southeast corner of the airport.
This is a continuous power airport.
Weather Service Office/Weather Service Forecast Office (WSO/WSFO) is located here.
Taxiway A south of Taxiway G is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 225 feet or less.
Do not mistake Taxiway T for a landing surface.
Access to Air Cargo 4 parking and cargo areas is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 170 feet or less.
The taxiway for the corporate hangar ramp is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 62 feet or less for taxi operations. GA customer parking is very limited.
Taxiway W is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 135 feet or less north of Taxiway N and 167 feet or less south of Taxiway N. Seattle Ramp Tower provides advisory control only.
GA landing fees are payable by major credit cards only.
The taxiway on the north side of Taxiway N satellite is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 118 feet or less. At the north satellite's tri-taxiways, the center (green) taxiway is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 135 feet or less. When an aircraft is on the center (green) or outer (orange/blue) taxiways, no other aircraft can simultaneously use the adjacent taxiway(s). The orange and blue taxiways are restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 118 feet or less. Two aircraft can simultaneously use the outer taxiways.
Taxiway J east of Taxiway T is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 118 feet or less.
Taxiway H is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 118 feet or less.
Taxiway B south of Taxiway S is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 260 feet or less.
The Air Cargo 5 ramp permits dual-engine taxi operations only.
100LL fuel is not available.
The South Satellite taxiway is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 214 feet or less.
Cargo 1 is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 170 feet or less.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Seattle-Tacoma International has five airfields within 19 NM. The closest is Renton Municipal (KRNT), 4.68 NM northeast.
Part of the Seattle area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KSEA
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KSEA.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weight and wingspan situation at KSEA?
Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) applies wingspan restrictions rather than a published weight limit across most of its taxiway system. Runway 16L/34R is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 260 feet or less, and Taxiway B south of Taxiway S carries the same 260-foot limit. Many interior taxiways step down further, with limits at 214, 170, 167, 135, and 118 feet depending on location. Operators of large-wingspan aircraft need to confirm routing before requesting taxi clearance. These restrictions reflect the layout of a three-runway, high-volume commercial complex rather than pavement strength limits.
Is 100LL avgas available at KSEA?
No. Seattle-Tacoma International, identifier KSEA, does not stock 100LL fuel according to airport remarks. The field carries Jet A and Jet A-1 only, consistent with its role as a large commercial hub with minimal piston GA traffic. Operators flying piston aircraft into KSEA need to plan fuel stops elsewhere, since no low-lead option exists on the field. Business turbine operators are unaffected, as Jet A supply supports the bulk of general aviation and air carrier movements at this airport.
How is GA parking handled at KSEA?
General aviation parking at Seattle-Tacoma International is prior-permission-required for all GA parking and services, per airport remarks. The controlling office operates 0700 to 2100 local, with an after-hours call-out available on request. Airport remarks describe GA customer parking as very limited, and taxi access to the corporate hangar ramp is restricted to aircraft with a wingspan of 62 feet or less. Operators planning a GA arrival at KSEA should arrange parking well in advance given the limited ramp space. Landing fees for GA traffic are payable by major credit card only.
Are there noise abatement procedures at KSEA?
Yes. Seattle-Tacoma International enforces noise abatement flight procedures between 2200 and 0600 local, and reverse thrust beyond what operational or safety needs require is discouraged at all times. The airport also encourages conserving taxi movements to takeoff when practical and safe, noting this practice may reduce aircraft noise within nearby communities. Operators taxiing near the terminal or aircraft parking areas are advised to use minimum required thrust to limit noise, fuel burn, and jet blast. Further guidance is available through the airport's noise abatement office. These measures apply across all traffic types operating at KSEA.
When is business aviation traffic busiest at KSEA?
Business aviation traffic at Seattle-Tacoma International, KSEA, concentrates in the summer months according to FAA TFMSC data. August recorded 533 business aviation operations, the highest monthly count of 2025, followed by May at 468 and July at 449. November was the lowest month at 227 operations. This traffic figure represents business aviation activity only, out of an FAA-reported annual total of 4,593 operations against 434,847 total annual operations across the airport. Operators planning summer trips to KSEA should expect a higher volume of business aviation movements sharing the field with airline traffic.