Planning a trip to Seattle? Timing can significantly impact your travel budget. Discover the cheapest time to fly to Seattle in 2024/2025. Savvy travelers know that airfare prices fluctuate throughout the year, influenced by factors like seasonality, holidays, and special events.
Strategically planning your trip can save you a substantial amount on flights. Our guide will help you find the most cost-effective periods to book your flights, ensuring you get the best deals and maximize your travel savings.
When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Seattle in 2024?
Generally, the cheapest time to fly to Seattle is during the shoulder seasons, which are the periods between the peak travel seasons. In Seattle’s case, this means:
- Winter (January and February): This is the absolute cheapest time to fly to Seattle, with prices often dropping well below the average. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is also the wettest and cloudiest time of year in Seattle.
- Fall (September and October): The weather improves in the fall, and the crowds thin out. However, you can still find some good flight deals during this time.
Cheapest Airlines that Fly to Seattle with Average Prices
Here are 7 of the cheapest airlines that fly into Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA), along with their average prices based on searches for flights departing in the next few months:
- Spirit Airlines (Average Price: $200-$300): Spirit Airlines is known for its ultra-low fares, but be sure to factor in the cost of checked bags, seat selection, and other fees before booking.
- Frontier Airlines (Average Price: $200-$300): Another budget airline with competitive fares to Seattle. Similar to Spirit, Frontier also has fees for checked bags and other optional services.
- Swoop Airlines (Average Price: $250-$350): A Canadian ultra-low-cost airline that sometimes offers rock-bottom fares on flights to Seattle from various Canadian cities.
- JetBlue Airways (Average Price: $250-$400): JetBlue is a major airline known for its spacious cabins and generous legroom. While not the absolute cheapest, they often have good deals on flights to Seattle, and checked bags are sometimes included in the base fare.
- Alaska Airlines (Average Price: $300-$400): Alaska Airlines is a major carrier based in Seattle, so it naturally has many flights serving the city. While not the cheapest option, it offers good value for the price, with free checked bags on some fares and a good loyalty program.
- United Airlines (Average Price: $300-$450): United is a major airline with a large network that includes many flights to Seattle. Prices can vary depending on the route and time of year, but you can sometimes find good deals on United flights.
- American Airlines (Average Price: $300-$450): American is another major airline with a large network that includes many flights to Seattle. Similar to United, prices can vary depending on the route and time of year, but you can sometimes find good deals on American flights.
Pros & Cons of Flying to Seattle During the Cheapest Time
Pros
- Save Money: Flights are significantly cheaper during these months, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars compared to peak season.
- Fewer Crowds: Popular tourist attractions may be less crowded, allowing for a more relaxed experience.
- Unique Events: Seattle has some fun winter events, like the Seafair Winter Festival or celebrating the Lunar New Year in the International District.
Cons
- Weather: Seattle’s winter is known for rain, clouds, and occasional chilly temperatures. Because of the weather, activities might be limited.
- Shorter Days: Daylight hours are significantly shorter, limiting your time for outdoor exploration.
- Flight Cancellations: Winter storms can lead to flight cancellations or delays.
Additional Tips for Finding the Cheapest Flights to Seattle
- Consider Alternative Airports: Seattle has two main airports: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Boeing Field International King County Airport (BFI). BFI is a smaller airport with fewer flights, but it can sometimes have cheaper fares, especially for domestic flights.
- Sign Up for Email Alerts: Many airlines and travel websites offer email alerts that will notify you when flight prices to Seattle drop.
- Clear Your Browsing History and Cookies: Airlines and travel websites sometimes use cookies to track your searches and inflate prices after you are interested in a particular flight. Try clearing your browsing history and cookies or using incognito/private browsing mode to potentially see lower fares.
- Search for Error Fares: Occasionally, airlines publish fares with mistakes that lead to incredibly low prices. Websites like Secret Flying and The Flight Deal specialize in finding and sharing these error fares.
- Consider Multi-City Flights: If your itinerary is flexible, consider flying into a different city and then taking a bus or train to Seattle. This can sometimes be cheaper than flying directly into Seattle.
- Be Open to Layovers: Flights with layovers can often be cheaper than non-stop flights. If you have the time, a layover can be a good opportunity to explore another city.
- Use Flight Comparison Tools: Besides the popular flight search tools mentioned earlier (Google Flights, Kayak, Skyscanner), consider using tools like Momondo, Hipmunk, and FlightAware. These tools can provide a wider range of options and help you find the cheapest flights possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the best prices, aim to book your flight 2-3 months in advance. Last-minute deals can occur but are less reliable.
Yes, flying on weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, is usually cheaper than flying on weekends when demand is higher.
Absolutely, flight prices tend to increase during major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the summer vacation period.
Yes, different airlines have different pricing strategies, so it's wise to compare fares across multiple carriers to find the best deal.
