Have I left enough Transit time in Seattle? Fairbanks-Seattle-Calgary

[wbjsew]

Hello everyone,

I've always received great advice previously from you all and would like to humbly ask you again for your thoughts.

I am flying from Fairbanks to Calgary via Seattle on Friday the 19th December 2014 on Alaskan Air. I am trying to connect with an Ice Hockey game in Calgary.

My first flight departs Fairbanks at 06:25, arriving in Seattle 10:50 and then departs Seattle at 12:30 and arriving in Calgary at 15:15.

My questions are:

1) Where do I go through customs? Fairbanks or Seattle?

2) Is my baggage checked all the way to Calgary?

3) Is the 1.5 hour stop over enough time to get to the connecting flight in Seattle?

4) Anybody know the arriving and departing gates at Seattle Airport for Alaskan Air?

As always I really appreciate any comments given.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hello everyone,

I've always received great advice previously from you all and would like to humbly ask you again for your thoughts.

I am flying from Fairbanks to Calgary via Seattle on Friday the 19th December 2014 on Alaskan Air. I am trying to connect with an Ice Hockey game in Calgary.

My first flight departs Fairbanks at 06:25, arriving in Seattle 10:50 and then departs Seattle at 12:30 and arriving in Calgary at 15:15.

My questions are:

1) Where do I go through customs? Fairbanks or Seattle?

2) Is my baggage checked all the way to Calgary?

3) Is the 1.5 hour stop over enough time to get to the connecting flight in Seattle?

4) Anybody know the arriving and departing gates at Seattle Airport for Alaskan Air?

As always I really appreciate any comments given.

Hi

Will do my best here. I assume you are originating in Fairbanks, Alaska

1) You will clear Canadian immigration and customs in Calgary. They (Canadians) do not use their right to 'advance clearance' like the Americans do when leaving Canada for the USA. NOTE on your way back, you do clear US customs and immigration in Calgary and you should check in the full 2 hours before departure to clear immigration etc. Then its essentially a US domestic flight.

2) Yes, your bags should be tagged all the way to Calgary, assuming its on one ticket. You clear Canadian immigration, pick your bags off the carousel, then clear customs. Should be pretty straightforward coming from the USA.

3) Yes, that should be enough time, Alaskan Air to Alaskan Air, as you don't need to pick up bags and assuming you have your onwards boarding pass. Seattle is a reasonably big airport, and there are 2 satellite terminals needing a mini train ride to the main terminal, but its all pretty efficient. The main terminal has a very pleasant bright shops area in the middle with some good eating options, as long as you get in early.

4) Seattle is Alaskan's main airport, so there are many Alaskan gates!!! When I flew SEA to YYC a week or 2 ago, it was from 'C' gates in the main terminal, designed for the little Dash-8s they use on this service. Boarding is usually called 30 mins before departure.

If you arriving Calgary on a work day, Deerfoot Trail, from the airport to the city (and the Saddledome) becomes congested about 4pm to 6pm, including city in bound. Allow an hour into the city, although it will probably only take 40 mins; without traffic its 20 to 30 mins. Taxis are OK, should cost about C$35 in moderate traffic. You can pre book an Allied Limo and it'll cost about C$55 flat rate.

Sounds like a reasonable, pleasant trip and schedule.

I ASSUME you will be barracking for the Flames, in Calgary? Else all bets, and all the foregoing advice is off

 

[kermatu]

Can't comment on specifics, but RooFlyer's advice sounds spot on and accords with my 3 general experiences in Seattle Tacoma - very efficient, well laid out, easy and quick rail connections between terminals, not too crowded or pushy.

 

[wbjsew]

Thanks guys,

Very much appreciated.