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.
SAS returned to Seattle on May 21, 2025, to begin 5x weekly service between Copenhagen and Seattle after a six-year hiatus
With much fanfare, a turret salute from SEA airport firefighters, and plenty of pastries, SAS Scandinavian Airlines resumed it’s Copenhagen to Seattle service after a sixteen-year hiatus using Airbus A350s on the route.
SAS has a long history in Seattle, having inaugurated service to Europe back in 1966, becoming the first carrier to directly serve the Pacific Northwest from the Continent. The Port of Seattle had a publication named the “reporter,” which ran a three-page cover article about the new service in the October 1, 1966 issue.
Pages from the Port of Seattle Reporter, with an article of the 1966 SAS inaugural flight between CPH and SEA
That service ran from 1966 to 2009, when it stopped due to a downturn in passenger traffic due to the global recession.
Therefore, the May 21, 2025 return was something of a triumph for the airline. The event felt buoyant, like a genuine celebration.
STARLUX Airlines’ inaugural flight from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) received a traditional water-cannon salute as it taxied to the gate
STARLUX Airlines added Seattle as its third North American destination on Aug. 16, 2024, following Los Angeles and San Francisco, which saw service starts in 2023.
The fledgling Taiwan-based airline was launched in 2018, with its first services from Taipei to Macau, Penang, and Da Nang having started in 2020. The carrier positions itself as a luxury airline, with four service classes on each of its 23 aircraft. STARLUX’s Airbus 350-900s feature 306 seats, spread across four cabins: four first-class suites, 26 business-class pods, 36 premium economy recliners, and 240 economy seats.
Airline staff waited to greet the inbound planeSEA has an automated airside docking systemThe A-359 approaching the gate
The airline also serves 23 Asian destinations via its all-Airbus fleet of A321neo, A330neo, and A350 aircraft.
Starlux and Alaska Airlines are codeshare partners
Alaska Airlines signed a strategic partnership with STARLUX in 2023, allowing each airline’s loyalty program members to earn points on one another’s flights. The partnership will allow customers of both airlines to book connecting flights on a single ticket.
STARLUX will serve SEA three times a week
The current flight schedule calls for three flights a week, with plans in place to increase the frequency to daily service in early 2025.
Even the cargo containers were shiny and newThe plane is powered by the impressive Rolls Royce XWBNosing up to the gateA fine-looking set of landing gear
It’s always an absolute joy to get rampside access for the arrival of a big jet.
STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai (left) and Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho exchanged welcoming giftsA welcome ceremony inside the airport’s reception area featured traditional drummers… and the traditional ribbon cutting
With this new route, SEA now hosts 53 nonstop international services on 27 different airlines. We’re hoping to provide you with more STARLUX coverage in the future.
China Airlines began service from Taipei to Seattle on July 14, 2024
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) celebrated its 75th anniversary on July 9, 2024, followed by welcoming its fifth new international route this year, with China Airlines’ Taipei (TPE)-Seattle route just a few days later on July 14, using an Airbus A350-900.
The schedule is as follows:
SEA commenced flight operations on July 9, 1949. Things were a lot different back then – the general public was allowed on the ramp to view the aircraft, and the terminal was tiny compared to what it’s become.
A photo from opening day at SEA – Image: Port of Seattle
In 1949, the airport had eight gates and served 130,549 passengers that year. Fast-forward to 2024, and SEA has 89 gates and serves an average of 140,000 passengers every single day.
More interesting factoids: SEA’s first international service was with Japan Airlines in 1959. Today, there are 25 international carriers serving 33 global destinations.
A China Airlines A350 on final to SEA on a flight a few days after the inaugual – figured you’d enjoy seeing at least one photo that wasn’t backlit
Which nicely leads us back to … airplanes!
China Airlines inaugural TPE-SEA flight taxiing to the gate
China Airlines Cargo has long served Seattle; the recent inaugural passenger flight is the airline’s sixth North American destination, and its debut for passenger service to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
The arriving aircraft received a traditional water-cannon salute from the airport fire department. The late-afternoon sun made for some interesting photo challengesOne of the two ARFF vehicles providing the saluteThe water arch formed a veil in front of the aircraftThe plane was still dripping water as it rolled up to the gate
China Airlines is the third airline to offer direct service to Taipei, competing for passengers with Delta Air Lines and EVA Air.
Workers performed a post-flight walkaround after the engines were turned off
It’s always a fantastic experience to get out onto the ramp for an aircraft arrival, especially an inaugural.
And congratulations to SEA for 75 successful years!
I recently had the opportunity to welcome some VIP fish from Alaska to the lower 48. Did I enjoy the experience because of the Copper River salmon? Yes, it was quite entertaining seeing all the people wanting to kiss a 34 pounder at 8am in the morning (I typically don’t kiss fish before noon). For me it was more about having an excuse to get back on the tarmac at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and hang out with Alaska Cargo up close and personal.
My combi ride back in 2016The fishing boats in Cordova
A while back, I took a milk run up to Cordova, AK and watched as fishing boats brought the first salmon to shore. Then I flew with the fish in the middle of the night on a combi back to Seattle. You can read more about the fish, the economic impact, and my little adventure there. For this story, I am just going to share some of my photos and let them speak for themselves.
