Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) recently unveiled its $399 million, 145,000-square-foot C Concourse expansion, and I got a chance to explore the space. I think passengers will be impressed, and there’s one new addition that AvGeeks will love!
The overall space is quite impressive. If you are familiar with the C Concourse before, you know that it was cramped and difficult to get through. As passenger numbers grew, the airport looked for creative new ways to expand, but it wasn’t easy.
“We can’t get out, so we have to go up,” said SEA Airport Managing Director Wendy Reiter. “It gave travelers more comfort and utility by using the same space and not losing a gate.” And they went up. The new space is four stories tall and offers multiple levels of amenities, art installations, sensory rooms, performance spaces and plenty of natural light.
The trees in C immediately caught my attention and gave me a Pacific Northwest vibe. The airport said passengers will “feel the forest in the geometric pattern of overhead Western Hemlock that runs along the building’s centerpiece.” I think it looks really cool!
bonus: Preview of Hall C under construction in December
The grand staircase leading to the tree at C serves several purposes. It helps connect the first and second floors, serves as additional seating, and displays table art.
New dining and retail options have also been added, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili’s, Nanny’s BBQ, Bite Society, Great State Burger, Olympia Coffee, Port of Subs, Seattle Macaron Co and Wanderlust.
I would say the best part of the expansion is Observatory C. At the very top, there is an area where you can take pictures and watch airliners. The exterior walls are made of glass, but there are a few inches of space between each pane, giving the feeling of being inside and outside at the same time. The fact that thanks to the openings you can easily hear and smell all the operating processes of the airport is a huge advantage. Kudos to the airport for adding this feature to their plans!
If you’re passing through SEA (or using the SEA Visitor Pass), it might be worth your time to check out the revamped C Concourse, especially the Lookout at C. And if you have experienced it, please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Preview Flying United Polaris Transatlantic and key aircraft/seat updates
