How to find cheap flights to to Seattle?

How to find cheap flights to to Seattle?

🌧️ Dreaming of misty rain, coffee culture, and Puget Sound sunsets? Flying into Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) doesn’t have to break the bank. With smart timing, flexible search tactics, and a few insider strategies, you can regularly score roundtrip fares as low as $68–$149 from many U.S. cities. Here’s your full guide — deals, hacks and all.

🕒 Best Times to Book Flights to Seattle

Booking window (domestic): Aim to book about 4–8 weeks ahead for most U.S. departures. For holiday or fall-leaf-season travel, plan 2–3 months in advance to secure seats.

Flying mid-week (Tuesday/Wednesday) and selecting late-evening or early-morning flights frequently cuts fares by 15–25% compared with peak weekend traffic.

📉 Cheapest Months to Fly to Seattle

  • Late January – early February: post-holiday slump lowers demand.
  • Late November (just after Thanksgiving): a sweet spot before year-end prices rise.
  • Mid-September: shoulder season brings lower fares as summer tourism winds down.

💸 Sample Flight Deals Into SEA

  • Los Angeles (LAX → SEA): $74 roundtrip on Alaska Airlines — offseason mid-week travel.
  • Denver (DEN → SEA): $68 roundtrip on Frontier with light-baggage itinerary.
  • Dallas (DFW → SEA): $112 roundtrip on American during a fare sale week.
  • Chicago (ORD → SEA): $119 roundtrip on United in shoulder season.

Deals change frequently — always verify live availability before booking.

✈️ Nonstop Flights — Airlines & Typical Price Ranges

RouteAirlinesTypical Roundtrip (economy)
LAX → SEAAlaska, Delta, United, Spirit$74–$168
DEN → SEASouthwest, Frontier, United$68–$149
DFW → SEAAmerican, Alaska, Spirit$98–$179
ORD → SEAUnited, Alaska$119–$199
LAS → SEAAlaska, Spirit$79–$159

🛠️ Airline Hacks to Lower Your Cost

  • Book two one-way tickets instead of round-trip — sometimes yields cheaper combined fare.
  • Travel carry-on only if possible — many budget fares exclude overhead-bin space.
  • Use incognito/private browser windows when searching — keeps search history from pushing up prices.
  • Check alternate nearby airports — e.g. compare SEA fare vs flights into PDX (Portland) when driving or train is an option.

🏙️ Seattle–Tacoma Airport (SEA) Guide

  • SEA is well-connected by light-rail (Link) to downtown — usually ~30 min and ~$3.25, cheaper than rideshare.
  • Security tends to be fastest between 5–7 AM — best if you fly first flights out.
  • Free Wi-Fi, multiple lounges (Alaska Lounge, Admirals Club), and a good mix of food-court and sit-down dining.
  • Parking garages tend to fill quickly — book early or use off-site parking + shuttle for savings.

💳 Credit Card & Booking Tips

  • Use credit cards that waive foreign transaction fees and include travel protections — useful if booking flights from outside the U.S.
  • Redeem mileage or points for flights to SEA — many airlines have strong availability to the Pacific Northwest.
  • Book refundable/basic-economy fare + travel insurance if your trip involves unpredictable weather or multi-leg travel.

⏳ Last-Minute Flights — When They Work

  • Check last-minute fares on Southwest and Alaska — they often release unsold seats 72–48 hours out.
  • Be flexible on departure and return dates — shifting by a day or two can cut price dramatically.
  • Use alerts and airline apps instead of search engines to catch flash sales.

🧳 Baggage Fees & What to Watch For

  • Alaska / United / American: ~$30–$35 for first checked bag (domestic standard).
  • Spirit / Frontier: carry-on and checked baggage fees — always factor into total cost before booking.
  • Bring carry-on only + personal item — can save $60–$120 roundtrip per person.

🛡️ Travel Insurance — When It Matters

For Seattle trips especially in late fall/winter months (rain, storms, flight delays), consider insurance that covers trip interruption or delays. If your fare is non-refundable or you’re flying through weather-prone seasons, the peace of mind often outweighs the premium.

💡 Pro Tip: When searching fares to SEA, compare flights leaving after 6 p.m. — Seattle departures late in the day often dip lower than morning flights, especially mid-week.

✔️ Quick Pre-Booking Checklist

  • Set alerts for SEA and compare nearby airports when possible.
  • Search full-month calendars and favor mid-week flights.
  • Factor baggage + transport costs before picking a fare.
  • Use travel-friendly credit cards or reward points for added savings.

Useful tools: Google FlightsKayakSkyscanner