Sensory Rooms and Quiet Spaces at SEA Airport

SEA has two sensory rooms, both after security and open daily from 4 a.m. to 12 a.m. To get in, call (206) 787-5229, press 1 and ask for the key code. The Port’s sensory room page lists no fee and no reservation.

One room is in the A Station hallway. The other is on the third floor of the C Concourse, above Gate C3 near the Lookout.

Which room is closer to your gate

The Blue Line links S, B and A Stations, so a gate on S or B rides straight to A Station. The Green Line links N, C and D Stations, so a gate on N rides to C Station. A, B, C and D also join on foot airside, which keeps either room in reach from those concourses.

If you connect from an international flight, the IAF Transfers checkpoint exits into the A Concourse, so the A Station room is the first one you’ll pass. Our connecting flights page covers the transfer checkpoint.

How to get in

1. Clear security first. Both rooms are past the checkpoints, and the Port says you can reach every gate from any checkpoint.
2. Request the key code by phone. The Port doesn’t say whether to call before you walk over or from the door.
3. Enter the code at the room.

Space is limited, so someone may already be inside. The Port asks everyone to leave the room as they found it. Children must be with an adult at all times, and security cameras monitor the space. To report a problem, call the airport’s ACC line at (206) 787-7233.

Adults can use the rooms too. The Port designed the first room for passengers with autism and other sensory processing differences, and says any age can use it to get away from the sights and sounds of the terminal.

What’s inside

The Port lists these features for its sensory rooms:

• a seated bench area and interactive chairs
• dimmable lighting and acoustic panels
• shoe and luggage storage, so bring your bag in with you

The Port’s launch post describes the A Station room as having a starlit sky, a rocking chair and a chair that hugs. The Port doesn’t say whether the C Concourse room matches that design.

Finding the A Station room

Start on the A Concourse and find the Starbucks near Gate A3. The Port’s directions say to take the elevator across from it, down from the concourse level to the Train level. Then walk a short way down the hall toward the platform.

The interfaith prayer and meditation room shares the same hall, so you can see both signs from one spot. After security, look for the sensory room’s own wayfinding symbol.

If you need help on this concourse, an information desk sits on the A Concourse between Gates A5 and A6, after security.

Finding the C Concourse room

Go to Gate C3 and head up to the third floor, where the room sits near the Lookout at C. The Port’s sensory page doesn’t give elevator or escalator directions for this one. KING 5 Seattle’s report on the reopened C Concourse said the expansion took it from one floor to four. The free Lookout at C is on the same floor, above Gate C3, if you’d rather watch the airfield.

When the room is taken or closed

The Port doesn’t publish a time limit. If both rooms are occupied or closed, these are the airport’s other quiet options.

The prayer rooms keep these hours:

SEA has no sleep pods, nap rooms or day rooms. On a long layover, the airport hotels in our hotel directory run courtesy shuttles from the terminal.

Before you fly: social story, TSA Cares and the lanyard

The Port’s social story and resource guide is designed for traveling through SEA. It’s written for travelers with autism to review with family or caregivers before the trip, and anyone else can use it. Find it at portseattle.org/SocialStory.

TSA Cares is the helpline for travelers who need extra help with screening. Call (855) 787-2227 at least 72 hours before you travel to ask what the checkpoint will involve.

The Sunflower lanyard tells staff that you or someone in your party may need more help or extra time. It costs nothing, and the Port can’t mail one. Pick it up from the information desk on the ticketing level or the one on the A Concourse. If a desk is unstaffed, ask the Premium lane staff at Checkpoint 3 or 4. The Port’s pages place the ticketing desk between Checkpoints 3 and 4, while the airport map lists it between Checkpoints 4 and 5, so look for the desk itself. The Port says these desks are generally staffed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. SEA Pups therapy dog teams, certified through Pet Partners and Reading with Rover, also work in the airport. Customer Care answers at (206) 787-5388, daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific.

If you need a wheelchair after security, your airline provides it, so book with the airline before you travel. The SEA ADA Coordinator answers accessibility questions at (206) 787-3132, and our wheelchair assistance page lists who to call at each stage.

Sources

Our pages:

• Sensory rooms
• Prayer and meditation rooms
• Nursing rooms
• Information desks
• Wheelchair assistance
• Every lounge at Seattle airport and who gets in
• SEA security wait times and when they peak

Official pages:

• Port of Seattle, A Quiet Oasis in a Stimulating Environment

Press material:

• KING 5 Seattle, “Concourse C fully open at SEA Airport”