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Alaska Airlines Opens New Flagship Lounge in Seattle

An Alaska 737-800 at Reagan National Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Craig Fischer)

Alaska Airlines opened its new flagship lounge in the North Satellite Terminal of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) on Thursday, marking the completion of the first phase of the airport’s modernization project for the satellite terminal. The lounge, one of six airline lounges at SeaTac, is the largest of Alaska Airlines’ three lounges by threefold.

Alaska Airlines’ President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Minicucci giving remarks before the official lounge opening. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

The terminal modernization project first broke ground back in February 2017, with the first sections opening to the public earlier this year. The first phase out of three for the project was deemed complete with the grand unveiling of the new 15,000 square foot lounge on the terminal’s upper level near gate N1.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport opened up the first 5 gates in its North Satellite Terminal expansion. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

The North Satellite is exclusively used by Alaska Airlines, making it a natural choice for this visually stunning flagship lounge. The lounge features unparalleled airport, runway, ramp, taxiway, mountain, and city skyline views through giant windows that run along every exterior wall of the lounge.

Floor to ceiling windows line the over 15,000 square foot lounge on the top floor of the North Satellite Terminal. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

The expansive windows offer near-360 degree views of the adjacent ramps, taxiways and runways. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

Within the lounge, Alaska chose to mark off certain areas for certain activities and themes. Such sections are named, “Take a Breath”, “Help Yourself” and “Cut Loose.”

Take a Breath is the largest of the areas which includes over half a dozen different styles of seating including a custom lounger designed just for this project, as well as an expansive couch around the grand fireplace. The outlets can use the plugs of various countries as well as USB outlets – and they are everywhere, though cleverly hidden to maintain the aesthetic.

Alaska specially designed these loungers for its lounge, keeping in mind Pacific Northwestern themes. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

The main seating of the “Take a Breath” section complete with a fireplace. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

Help Yourself is where travelers can recharge with some food along with scones and cookies from Seattle’s Marsee Bakery or order off the menu (for a cost), teas and espresso beverages by Starbucks trained baristas. The section also features an Alaska Airlines favorite, the self-serve pancake printer – and automated pancake maker – as well as a trail mix station where travelers can fill snack bags with their favorite trail mix fixings for a custom snack.

A DIY trail mix station in the “Help Yourself” section of the lounge focused on food and snacks. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

Alaska’s famed self-served pancake maker on offer in the lounge. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

The section also features café style seating as well as drum seats and tables that are lit by airplane engine cowlings converted into lamps.

Old jet engines were repurposed into lamps for lighting in the new lounge. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

Cut Loose is the bar area with full runway views and a counter that runs the length of the windows where one can sit, drink, plane spot, and charge devices. Seattle’s Fremont Brewing made a special IPA exclusively for Alaska’s lounges, called Lounge Life, to accompany the 11 other beers on tap.

The full-service bar features everything from local IPAs to wines from Washington State. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

The lounge maintains a full bar and can custom make cocktails to help one get through the stress of traveling. Local wines from Washington State are also prominently featured.

Travelers flying in Alaska Airlines first class, having a membership to the lounge or that purchased a day pass can access the lounge.

Thomas Pallini

Author

  • Thomas Pallini

    Tom has been flying for as long as he can remember. His first flight memory was on a Song Airlines 757 flying from LaGuardia to Orlando. Back then, he was afraid to fly because he thought you needed to jump off the plane in order to get off. Some years later, Tom is now a seasoned traveler, often flying to places just for the fun of it. Most of the time, he'll never leave the airport on his trips. If he's not at home or at work as a Line Service Technician at Long Island MacArthur Airport, he's off flying somewhere, but only for the day.

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