Where Can I Smoke at Seattle Airport? SEA Smoking Areas 2025
October 22, 2025 at 9:34:50 PM
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), known as Sea-Tac Airport, is the major international gateway for travelers visiting the Pacific Northwest. While smoking indoors is prohibited, SEA provides designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminals and baggage claim zones for smokers.
This guide covers the best spots for smokers at SEA, including updated 2025 smoking policies, vaping rules, and terminal-specific outdoor zones.
Smoking Policy Overview at SEA
Seattle-Tacoma Airport follows the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits smoking inside public buildings, including all terminals and concourses.
Smoking indoors: Prohibited anywhere within SEA.
Vaping/e-cigarettes: Prohibited indoors, treated the same as smoking.
Outdoor smoking: Only permitted in designated areas outside the terminals.
Cannabis: Prohibited by federal law, despite Washington's state-level legalization.
Violators of SEA’s smoking rules may be subject to fines or removal from airport property.
Designated Smoking Areas by Terminal
Seattle Airport has three main terminals (1, 2, and 3) connected by shuttles and walkways. Smoking areas are located outdoors, before TSA security checkpoints.
Terminal 1 (Domestic Flights)
Terminal 1 serves domestic flights, including Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Departures: Outdoor smoking areas near doors 1A and 1C.
Arrivals: Outside baggage claim near doors 1B and 1D.
Post-security: No smoking areas airside.
Smokers should use these designated zones before TSA screening, as there are no smoking facilities once inside the terminal.
Terminal 2 (Domestic Flights)
Terminal 2 is home to Delta Air Lines and several other U.S. carriers.
Departures: Smoking areas outside doors 2A and 2B.
Arrivals: Outdoor zones near baggage claim doors 2C and 2F.
Post-security: No indoor smoking areas available.
Terminal 3 (International Flights)
Terminal 3 serves international flights, including airlines like Emirates, British Airways, and Air Canada.
Departures: Outdoor smoking zones near doors 3A and 3D.
Arrivals: Outside baggage claim near doors 3B and 3E.
Post-security: No smoking lounges or areas available.
International travelers must exit security to use the designated outdoor smoking zones and plan for additional time to re-clear TSA.
Can You Smoke After Security at SEA?
No, there are no smoking areas after security at Seattle-Tacoma Airport.
Once you pass through TSA, there are no designated smoking zones in any concourse or terminal.
If you need to smoke, you will have to exit the secure area, use an outdoor smoking section, and then re-enter through TSA security.
Re-entering security can take extra time, so ensure you allow at least 45–60 minutes to avoid missing your flight.
Vaping Rules at SEA
Vaping is subject to the same rules as smoking at SEA:
No vaping indoors: All terminals, lounges, gates, and concourses are smoke-free, and vaping is prohibited.
Outdoor vaping: Allowed only in the designated smoking zones outside the terminals.
Devices and liquids: Keep e-cigarettes and vape devices in carry-on luggage and avoid using charging stations inside the airport.
These policies help keep the airport environment comfortable and compliant with state law.
Smoking Lounges at SEA
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport does not offer indoor smoking lounges.
In the past, airports like SEA may have had enclosed smoking areas, but in compliance with Washington's Clean Indoor Air Act, all indoor smoking lounges at SEA have been eliminated. Today, there are only outdoor smoking zones located before TSA.
Layovers and Connecting Flights
If you have a connecting flight at SEA and wish to smoke, you will need to exit the secure area and use the designated outdoor smoking zones.
Exiting security: Follow signs to the designated smoking zones, which are outside the terminal.
Re-entering TSA: You must re-clear security before returning to your gate.
Plan extra time: To avoid rushing, allow at least 45 minutes to 1 hour for the round trip, depending on wait times at TSA.
Smoking in Parking and Ride-Share Areas
Smoking is permitted in several outdoor areas near SEA's parking and ground transportation zones:
Parking Garages: Smoking areas are located on the lower levels of the Long-Term and Short-Term Parking Garages, near the terminal entrances.
Ride-Share and Taxi Stands: Smoking is allowed in designated outdoor smoking zones near ride-share and taxi pick-up points.
Shuttle Bus Areas: Smoking zones are also provided near shuttle bus pick-up locations, away from pedestrian traffic.
Cannabis and Alternative Smoking Products
Even though recreational marijuana is legal in Washington state, cannabis consumption remains prohibited on airport property under federal law.
Cannabis smoking and vaping: Strictly prohibited at SEA.
Possessing marijuana: If caught with marijuana, you may face confiscation or fines.
Federal jurisdiction: As a federally regulated airport, SEA adheres to federal drug laws, overriding state regulations.
Traveler Tips for Smokers at SEA
Plan smoke breaks before TSA: Smoking is not allowed once you pass security.
Use designated smoking zones: Do not smoke near the entrances or curbside without using the marked smoking areas.
Allow time for re-entry: If you exit security, you must go through TSA again, so plan accordingly.
Dispose of cigarette butts properly: Use the provided ashtrays to help keep SEA clean.
Bring disposable lighters only: TSA does not allow torch lighters, so stick with standard disposable lighters.
FAQs
Q: Can I smoke after security at SEA?
A: No. All indoor areas beyond TSA are smoke-free.
Q: Where are the smoking areas at Seattle Airport?
A: Designated outdoor areas are located outside the terminal entrances and baggage claim zones.
Q: Is vaping allowed at SEA?
A: No. Vaping is prohibited indoors and allowed only in outdoor designated smoking areas.
Q: Can I smoke cannabis at SEA?
A: No. Cannabis is prohibited by federal law on all airport property.
Summary
Smoking allowed: Only in outdoor smoking zones outside the terminals.
Not allowed: Indoors, post-security, lounges, or gates.
Vaping: Allowed only outdoors in designated areas.
Cannabis: Prohibited under federal law on airport grounds.
Tip: Plan ahead to smoke before TSA to avoid missing your flight.
