Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle Review – Priority Pass Lounge in SEA

Seattle Tacoma International Airport is one of the biggest, if not the biggest hub for Alaska Airlines in the United States. At SeaTac Airport, there are three Alaska Airlines Lounges. And the one at Terminal D is the biggest, by far. Here is our review of the Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle at Terminal D.

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NOTE: Effective September 1, 2018, Alaska Airlines lounges at Seattle-Tacoma Airport will no longer participate in the Priority Pass network.

Alaska Airlines Lounge Locations in Seattle Airport

The three Alaska Airlines Lounges at SeaTac are:

• Concourse D, near Gate D1
• Concourse C, near Gate C16A
• Satellite N, near Gate N1

All of them are airside, so you will have to clear TSA Security before accessing any of them.

I had the opportunity to visit the Alaska Airlines Lounge at SEA Terminal D, which is right across from the TSA security gate.

Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle Access

If you are flying as an Alaska Airlines premium passenger, you get complimentary access to Alaska Airlines Lounges. 

Alaska Airlines has lounge memberships at a yearly rate of $450. There may be discounts for the first year and it includes admission for spouse and children admissions.

You can find the full details here at the Alaska Airlines website.

Alaska Airlines Lounge Day Passes are also available. You can purchase them either online or at the main desk.

It’s $45 per day, per person.

Another way to access to the Alaska Airlines Lounges Seattle (and better, in our opinion) is to get a Priority Pass membership. Priority Pass gives you access to 1000+ airport lounges all around the world.

Not familiar with airport lounges or Priority Pass? Then check out our post: Is Airport Lounge Access Worth The Cost of a Priority Pass or Credit Card.

We love our airport lounges!

Many people consider the Alaska Airlines Lounges the best Priority Pass Lounges at SeaTac.

Checking in

Checking in is a very straightforward process. As a Priority Pass member, I had to provide a same day boarding pass and my physical Priority Pass card.

There is an electronic confirmation screen you have to sign.

Certain Priority Pass holders can bring additional guests into the lounge. Recently, Alaska Airlines Lounge at SEA introduced some access limitations for Priority Pass holders.

So, check with the front desk to clarify the rules when you arrive.

After learning that it was my first visit to Washington, one of the friendly front staff took the extra step to completely introduce me to the Alaska Airlines Lounge.

She explained a few details about the layout of the lounge, assuring me that they are there to help. Yes, the staff members are very friendly and attentive.

I think this is probably why Alaska Airlines consistently rates as one of the best airlines in the world!

Alaska Airline Lounge Seattle is open from 5 AM till midnight.

Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle Layout

Alaska Airlines Lounge at SEA Terminal D is a two-level lounge. The first level is a designated quiet space for work and to relax.

You’ll find it just beyond the front desk.

An elevator or the main staircase takes you to the mezzanine level. This is where most of the food is, along with a big screen TV, different seating, a bar and beverage cafe, and a dining room with group seating.

Both levels have their own bathrooms.

I love the coziness this Alaska Airlines Lounge. The design is inspired by a rustic ski lodge – cozy lounge chairs, hardwood wall panels, and the main area where a fireplace would be.

Unfortunately, they don’t have a fireplace on this level – instead, they have a big screen TV for sports fans to gather and watch.

It’s the perfect place to catch the Seattle Mariners or the Seattle Seahawks game before your flight out!

Food and beverage at the Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle

Sadly, the food here doesn’t quite match up with how nice the Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle Terminal D lounge is.

I visited around mid-Saturday afternoon, which is not a busy time for the lounge. The food selections are lacking.

There are limited options, although they are nicely arranged and attractively lit. Here, you can find plates of fresh vegetables and a do-it-yourself salad bar.

There are also small snacks and sandwiches.

The tiny hot bar, which offered beef steak and noodle soup on my visit, seemed to be an afterthought, tucked into the seating area.

Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle Pancake Machine

The highlight of my visit to the Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle Terminal D is the highly-publicized pancake machine. A Polish-American inventor named Marek Szymanski developed and patented the pancake machine in early 2000.

It’s an Alaska Airline Lounge thing!

The pancake machine is about the size of two toasters side-by-side. You put specified amount of pancake batter on a conveyor belt and the machine takes care of the rest. Then, watch it flatten and cook right before your eyes.

At the end of the line – two perfectly-sized and well-cooked pancakes delivered to your plate! You can find a selection of syrup, butter and jam for your pancakes, too.

I think the pancake machine is an all-day thing. I visited the lounge in mid afternoon. In any case, a morning visit would be incomplete without making a stack of pancakes for yourself.

Drinks at Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle

Drinks include complimentary juice, soda, Starbucks coffee and espresso, beer, wine and cocktails. If you want to try some locally inspired drinks, ask for complementary Alaskan Amber or Seattle Cedar.

In addition to complimentary drinks, you can purchase premium liquors and beverages for roughly $7. A bottle of wine will run you about $20.

There are no chairs in front of the bars. Strangely, local laws don’t allow Seattle airport lounges to have seating at open bars when minors are present.

But the good news is that this means there is no cluttering in front of the bar.

Amenities and highlights

Chihuly Glass Artwork

Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle Terminal D celebrates Washington-native Dale Chihuly, who was born in Tacoma. The lounge features his colorful blown glass artwork sculptures on its main staircase wall.

There are also a few Alaska-inspired photographs along the wall of the lounge.

Szymanski’s pancake machine

The Pancake Machine is definitely the highlight for anybody familiar with Alaska Airlines Lounges.

You can make freshly pancakes anytime during your visit – cooked perfectly!

Board rooms

There are two average size board rooms in the lounge that you can rent. Alaska Airlines Lounge members can reserve the boardroom for $25 per hour rate; non-member rate is $50.

This reservation does not include Alaska Airlines Lounge admissions, which you pay separately as a day pass.

The current daily pass rate is $45.

To make a reservation, call 1-800-654-5669. Board room reservations are a minimum of one-hour rental. You can select from four locations: Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and Anchorage.

Wi-Fi

You need a password to access the complimentary Wi-Fi. You can get that at the main desk staff or from any of the signs throughout the Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle.

Power outlets

You will have no problem finding electrical outlets near your chair, and most of the chairs have built-in power outlets to charge your electronics.

Fireplace

The first level is the designated quiet place of the lounge. You can find a cozy fireplace addition here – ask staff for its hours of operation.

Phone rooms

Several phone rooms are available. You can have a private conversation by closing the glass doors to the main lounge area.

Work Stations and business center

There are traditional work stations with desks and office chairs, as well as hightop seating areas where you can hook up your own computer.

The Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle also offers a printer and copier machine.

Lockers

Although there is plenty of room around the lounge, designated places for your luggage are always good.

Accessibilty

Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle is wheelchair accessible.

Also check out our other Airport Lounges Around The World.

I visited Alaska Airlines Lounge Seattle during my Airport Lounge Challenge – see our travel vlog here:

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