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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA · KSEA) is 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and every runway end is standard left traffic.

All of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — runways, frequencies, charts and live weather

Pattern diagram

Drawn to scale from the FAA NASR runway alignments and the per end right traffic flags — pick a runway to see its pattern. Live wind picks the favored runway when KSEA reports it.

5,000 ftNMNxw 074°downwind 344°base 254°final 164°45° entry16C34C16L34R16R34L

RWY 16CLEFT traffic

Heading
164° mag · 180° true
Dimensions
9,426 × 150 ft
TPA
1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface
Concrete
Lights
4-light PAPI (left) (3°) + ALSF2
ILS
ILS/DME · CAT IIIB · LOC 111.7 (SZI) · GS 3.00°
CTAF
118.5
More details — RWY 16C
Threshold elev
429 ft
Markings
precision
Threshold crossing height
71 ft
TDZ elevation
430 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
9,426 / 9,426 / 9,426 / 9,426 ft
End lights
centerline, TDZ

Condition: Excellent. Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 120k, Double wheel 250k, Dual tandem 550k, Double dual tandem 1111k.

Pattern side: FAA NASR · TPA standard 1,000 ft AGL (not charted) · layout: FAA runway-end coordinates

Pattern direction by runway

RunwayPatternHeadingPattern altitude
16C Left traffic 164° mag 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
34C Left traffic 344° mag 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
16L Left traffic 164° mag 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
34R Left traffic 344° mag 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
16R Left traffic 164° mag 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
34L Left traffic 344° mag 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KSEA; the figure above is the AC 90-66B 1,000 ft AGL convention for propeller aircraft, rounded to the field. Turbine aircraft normally fly 1,500 ft AGL. Headings are the runway alignment; downwind is the reciprocal.

Flying the pattern at KSEA

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is towered, working 119.9. Contact the tower before entering the surface area and fly the pattern you are assigned — the directions below are the charted default when no instruction is given.

All ends are left traffic, which is the FAR 91.126 default — turns to the left unless the field charts otherwise. The full entry procedure is here →

Frequently asked

What is the traffic pattern altitude at KSEA?

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has no traffic pattern altitude published in the FAA NASR data. The AC 90-66B convention for propeller aircraft is 1,000 ft AGL, which works out to roughly 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) here — but confirm it against the Chart Supplement before you fly, since a field can have a non standard pattern altitude that NASR does not carry.

Does KSEA have right traffic?

No. All 6 runway ends at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport use standard left traffic, so no right pattern is charted here.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KSEA?

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is towered (119.9), so the pattern shown here is the charted default — but the controller's instruction overrides it. Expect straight in approaches, base entries and midfield crossings as traffic dictates.

More about KSEA

Pattern direction and alignment are drawn from the FAA NASR (28-day cycle); the diagram is generated, not an FAA chart. Pattern altitude is shown as published where NASR carries one, otherwise as the AC 90-66B 1,000 ft AGL convention. For planning and education only; always verify against the Chart Supplement.