Immigration and customs is done in the south satellite terminal. After clearing customs, you'll drop bags, then there is a split. Passengers that are ending their trips in Seattle just get on the non-secure side of the south loop train and reclaim their bags at the main terminal without reclearing security. If you are connecting, you clear TSA after rechecking your bags. The checkpoint is pretty much immediately outside of customs. Once you clear that you will be on the secure side of the south loop train. This will drop you at the south side of the main terminal. UA primarily operates out of the north satellite. Once you reach the main terminal you can go up the escalators and walk to the north side of the main terminal (the best food selection is in the middle section of the main terminal) or take the shuttle train to the north side of the main terminal. In either case you will then need to get on the north loop train, which will drop you at the north satellite for your United flight. There is a secure connection between all gates, so regardless of what you choose you should only need to clear security once.


Map here:
http://www.portseattle.org/Sea-Tac/M...-Overview.aspx

OK so I guess we had better plan for a longer stop here.... Current flight plans give us 2h15 min that should be doable unless immigrations is a time consuming item in SEA. german passport with ESTAS

I think you should be ok - the satellites and terminal are in a fan shape so the distances are small, and the train system is very efficient and frequent (similar system as TPA/MCO but underground). Customs is pretty fast there most times (I'd be surprised if it was 1hr), and I would only show up to check in (with bags) to the airport 90 mins ahead of a domestic flight, and I always have time to get a meal and a few minutes to check emails. Though customs is always a wildcard, and the lines are longer for non-U.S. citizens, I don't foresee any problem at all with a 2h15m connection time.

Thnaks 16A I was starting to wonder if perhaps we should debate using another hub but Seattle is simply the best hub for flights to Anchorage and besides it leaves us the option of a friend from SEA meeting us there if he has time....

Seattle is a great airport - there are lots of restaurants/services and it is really well kept. If you are traveling to ANC it is the stop I'd recommend. This time of year you should have great views on the way in (usually left side of the cabin is best for approach views of the mountains and volcanoes). Meeting up might be pretty short if you have to go out to the public area of the terminal (you'll want to head through security no more than 60-75 minutes before your flight, since it usually takes 20-25 minutes (non-elite lanes) and United calls boarding 30-40 mins before departure. Note that Seattle traffic can be quite terrible, so it may not be practical for your friend to get down there if it is rush hour (a 15 min trip can be 1hr+ at certain times of day). If you go outside security, the D/N checkpoint is the fastest way in (if backscatter machines are a concern stay in the left general security lane as it is metal detector only) and that is also the checkpoint nearest the train (once through the checkpoint, turn right and you should see a set of escalators to your right). That will take you to the train to the north satellite.

Have a great trip to Alaska and enjoy your stay in the U.S!

There is light rail to the airport that can be taken from downtown Seattle. I have not taken it to the airport, but I have taken it in that direction, just not as far as the airport, and been happy with it. It is cheap, and definitely worth thinking about. If you're coming in and going to downtown, it may be worth thinking about too. Trains come pretty frequently and there's plenty of room for luggage.

http://www.soundtransit.org/Rider-Gu...rt-Station.xml

Yeah the light rail system is great for getting to and from the airport from downtown. The station is a bit of a walk (through the parking garage and across a skybridge). Traveling downtown with a 2h15m connection time would not be a good idea, but it is great for doing some quick sightseeing downtown if you have a longer stop (or if people are meeting you at the airport during heavy traffic times). Note that once you are downtown, there is a fairly extensive ride free zone on the Metro bus system (at least until September 29th) that you can use as well.

Details here:

http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/bus/ride-free-area/

Ahh no he may join us on the rest of the trip and meet us in SEA to fly to ANC with us if we use another hub we will only meet in ANC. I am however really leaning towards SEA

Ah that makes sense! Alaska Air also has probably about 20 non-stops to ANC from SEA each day if your friend isn't able to get on your United flight.

NB: FWIW, it makes *many* stops between downtown & the airport light rail station. It took us approx 40 minutes the time we tried it. Also, there is a long walk, mostly thru a parking garage, from the rail terminal to the actual airport. Conclusion: it's a reasonable alternative if you're going to/from a downtown hotel, but not particularly efficient timewise if you're a Seattle resident (as we are) & first have to get downtown from home which adds additional time.