Seattle is testing a new system that lets travelers make a reservation at the TSA checkpoint
David Slotnick is a senior aviation business reporter at TPG. He covers anything and everything to do with the business of running an airline.
May 05, 2021
•
2 min read
Seattle is testing a new system that lets travelers make a reservation at the TSA checkpoint
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The next time you fly out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), you might be able to skip the line at security thanks to a new pilot program.
The airport is testing a program called SEA Spot Saver, which lets passengers reserve a time to go through the security checkpoint.
Instead of waiting in line to go through the checkpoint, passengers can arrive at their reservation time and go right through. The Port of Seattle describes it as "virtual queuing."
The Spot Saver program is available from 4 a.m. to noon daily through August 31, and is only available for general security passengers, not those using PreCheck. There are two different options available.
If you're flying Alaska Airlines, you can schedule your Spot Saver reservation in advance up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure, or upon arrival at the airport. Passengers traveling with a group can make the reservation for up to a dozen people, and can then head to security Checkpoint 5 within 15 minutes of their appointment time.
The second option is marketed as being for passengers flying on Delta or any other airline (aside from Alaska). Reservations can be made as soon as passengers arrive at the airport and check in at Checkpoint 2.
While the program is just a trial, and is only available at SEA. But there are other ways for passengers to speed their way through the security line at other major airports. Two of our favorites are Clear and TSA PreCheck, which you can learn more about at the TPG guides below:
Featured image by Courtesy of Port of Seattle
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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