Seattle-Tacoma airport expands concourse C ahead of 2026 World Cup

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Seattle-Tacoma airport expands concourse C ahead of 2026 World Cup

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Simple Flying | Simple Flying

By Sky Industry News

Jan 6, 2025

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) marked a significant milestone on December 19, 2024, with a topping out ceremony for the expansion of Concourse C. The event celebrated the completion of the structural framework for four additional floors, which will include an observation tower, lounges, and a ramp tower adjunct. This expansion is part of SEA's preparations for the 2026 World Cup and aims to enhance service quality.

The tradition of a "topping out" ceremony has Scandinavian roots and serves to honor those involved in the construction project while maintaining morale amidst construction-related disruptions. The expanded Concourse C will transform from an 81,000-square-foot building into a modern 226,530-square-foot facility.

At the ceremony, progress was evident with steel beams rising and various construction activities underway. Attendees noted personal messages on the final beam, including support for regional transit agency Sound Transit. King County Executive Dow Constantine chaired his last Sound Transit Board meeting during this time.

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Alaska Airlines is set to be the largest tenant in Concourse C, alongside Horizon Air and Hawaiian Airlines. Monty Anderson from the Seattle Building and Construction Trades Council highlighted that SEA's investments have created numerous jobs and opened opportunities through apprenticeships for underrepresented groups.

Port of Seattle Commission President Hamdi Mohamed emphasized the project's role in job creation and sustainability efforts aligned with the Port's Century Agenda goal of becoming North America's greenest port.

Airport Managing Director Lance Lyttle discussed SEA's spatial constraints and how vertical expansion addresses these challenges by providing new amenities like restrooms, lounges, sensory rooms, a nursing station, and a solarium offering views of airfields and mountain ranges.

An extension to SEA's ramp tower is also included in this expansion to manage ground operations effectively. Lyttle stressed that growth is essential for maintaining service levels as demand increases due to regional population growth.

Lyttle stated: "We know that we are one of the most space-constrained airports in the country... By adding four new floors to C Concourse, we’re able to provide a much higher level of service desired by our customers."