Nothing beats being able to stand in between several active runways to take photos
Every year in the late summer, SEA invites a group of local AvGeeks to what it calls “SEA Airport AV Geeks Airfield Day.” And, what a day it was.
There were roughly a dozen of us, and after a safety briefing in the airport’s offices, we were assigned to our escorts and headed out to a couple of vans.
Even in the van, the views were great
The day started out quite overcast, but by the time we got out on the field in the early afternoon, most of the clouds had lifted and even Mount Rainier (always referred to as simply “the mountain” in these parts) had started to make an appearance to the southeast.
Time for a 787 closeupThis Asiana livery will soon be replaced by new owner Korean AirA Lufthansa A350 waits for a gate on a ramp at SEA with Mount Rainier visible in the distance
I’ve been lucky enough to get airside at quite a few airports over the years, but SEA remains one of my very favorites, as all three runways are clearly visible, and the mountain views can’t be beat.
Views? We’ve got ’em!
What was it like being out there on the edges of an access road between the active runways for several hours? It was bliss. Noisy bliss. Yes, we all had hearing protection. And we all seemed to agree that the smell of jet-A is also quite fine.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) recently unveiled a $399 million, 145,000-square-foot expansion of the C Concourse and I had the opportunity to explore the space. I think passengers will be impressed and there is one new addition that AvGeeks will love!
Over the years, I have covered quite a few inaugural flights into Seattle. They are always a hoot, but often there aren’t many surprises. Well, when Cathay Pacific Airlines did an inaugural flight to Seattle (SEA) from Hong Kong (HKG) on March 30, they did things a bit differently, and in a grand way. Not only did I get to experience the normal excitement of being on the ramp to greet the aircraft, but there was also a fun surprise at the gate; plus the airline held a grand gala event later in the evening.
The flight & aircraft information from FlightRadar24
The day started when I awoke and opened FlightRadar24 to see which aircraft was en route. As expected, it was an Airbus A350-900, and it had registration B-LRJ. Then I noticed the photo: it was the retro livery. Booya!
I quickly got some AvGeek goose bumps (yes, that is a thing). The airline calls it the “lettuce sandwich” retro livery and it has a special place in my AvGeek heart. Long before the internet was a thing, I remember looking at L1011s in that very livery in one of my airline books. It was one of my favorites. I never got the chance to see it in person, so here was my opportunity. And, it was extra special because this was also the first time that this retro livery would be flying to the U.S.
The under-construction observation deck at the SEA concourse C expansion project
AvGeeks traveling to, from, or transiting through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will soon have access to a relatively rare amenity, at least in the Pacific Northwest of the United States: an observation deck, albeit one that’s airside so it’s only available to ticketed passengers.
Currently expected to open to the traveling public in the second quarter of 2026, the expanded concourse will add at least 10 restaurants to the airport’s offerings, several new retail outlets, some fancy new seating, and lots of artwork. The signature artwork for the new spaces is a very large wood sculpture of a stylized tree, which will arch over an interesting stadium-style seating area.
A panoramic view of the under-construction main seating area and framing for the tree sculpture at SEA’s Concourse C expansion project
But, back to what’s most exciting for the AvGeek crowd – the Lookout at C, as the airport is calling it. It’s a glassed-in observation area, looking west-southwest from the C concourse toward the main terminal and the airport’s taxiways, some of the gate areas, and SEA’s three runways.
Good ‘ol C15 at SEA… the gate I was waiting at for my friend to arrive.
I am one of those who don’t mind doing airport drop offs and pickups. Often I will actually park and walk the person to security or meet them when they come out. I miss the days when you could go through security with the person, walk them to their gate, and wave to their plane as it pushed back. Or welcome them with a smile at the gate as they deplaned. Most drop offs today are about speed and efficiency; the driver will barely roll to a stop, people rush out of the vehicle, bags are thrown to the curb, there are a few quick goodbyes, and then everyone skedaddles before being yelled at by the authorities.
Back in 2018, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) initiated a new program called the SEA Visitor Pass Program. This free program essentially lets you travel back in time to when a non-flying visitor could go through security. I have been wanting to try the program first-hand, but an opportunity never came up… until recently. I had a friend flying in from Montana and I decided to give it a shot. I didn’t let them know my game plan and my hope was to surprise them at the gate.
I would say that for the most part things went pretty smoothly and it was worth the experience. However, I am not sure this will become a regular thing for me.
