Having done my research before travelling, I knew the best Alaska Airlines lounge in Seattle was the North Satellite lounge. Opened in July 2019, it is the flagship lounge for the airline at its home base.
Even though our flight departed from one of the other concourses, it was quite simple to get there. Seattle Tacoma International Airport has a handy train that whisks you conveniently from place to place airside. Very nice indeed!
Who Gets Lounge Access At Alaska Airlines?
Alaska Airlines operate eight lounges in six cities and unlike most US carriers, paid first class passengers get lounge access included in their ticket. You can also be a member of their lounge programme and pay a yearly fee, or even purchase a Day Pass for US$50.
Mileage Plan members who are Sapphire and Emerald along with their American Airlines AAdvantage counterparts gain access on international itineraries (excluding Canada) only. Sapphire and Emerald members of any other oneworld frequent flyer programme are granted access as per the usual alliance rules.
Welcome To The North Satellite Lounge!
Walking up to the lounge, you’re greeted by the sign exhorting you to “Be Our Guest”, which is quite nice. It could come across as meaningless, but I’ve found this airline really walks the talk.
You Mentioned Free Mimosa’s?
At the bar, the first thing I spotted was a sign that headed, “Cocktail of the Month” and under that, “Pineapple Whipped Mimosas”. Well colour me curious, my decision was made and an order was placed. The bar, incidentally, is pictured at the top of this article.
The chalkboard over the bar offered many beers, such as Mac & Jac’s African Amber, Georgetown – Bodhizafa, Fremont Baxter, Diamond Knot, Ruben’s Pilsner, Incline – Marionberry Cider, Truly – Mixed Berry. In cans, they had Coors Light and Alaskan Amber.
Around the bar is plenty of seating looking out over the airport. Naturally they were all taken, but keeping a keen eye on other passengers meant we soon snagged a window seat.
What About The Food?
We arrived in that dead zone after 9am, where it’s no longer breakfast time, but not anywhere near lunch time. It meant the breakfast items were still available and somewhat depleted.
I Came Here For The Hot Pancakes!
In the Alaska Airlines North Satellite lounge (and I daresay in the others too) is a blue and white machine in the food area that produces pancakes. Charmingly, it has a “Prepare for Bake-Off” sign, with an airport design and a little plane pointing to the button that starts the action.
Toilet Time Before Leaving
Sadly, as I was enjoying the whole vibe – not to mention the airport action out the window – it was time to leave. Popping in to the Men’s bathroom was necessary and of course I captured it for posterity.
Overall Thoughts
The Alaska Airlines North Satellite lounge in Seattle is really quite special. It has a lovely design aesthetic and the wrap around windows overlooking the tarmac really ensure you know where you are. All the staff I encountered were friendly and they did get around to clearing tables swiftly enough, in spite of how busy it was.
I initially thought the food offering to be a little meagre, but that is because there seemed to be so much wasted space where the yoghurts and boiled eggs were. They all looked quite lonely. In actual fact, I ate my fill what with the two pancakes and oatmeal. My guess is there a more extensive offering for the rest of the day.
Drinks wise, I love the idea of a Cocktail of the Month and the fact I was treated like an adult when I ordered two drinks at once. “These aren’t both for you, are they?” I was asked, and I replied that no, one was for my friend. I do know some airline lounges will not let you order multiple drinks to bring to others in your party – ever – so this was nice.
I’m flying through Seattle again soon and I’m going to be hard pressed to use the British Airways lounge that I should be using. I feel another visit here coming on!
What do you think of the Alaska Airlines North Satellite lounge in Seattle? How does it compare to the other lounges operated by the airline? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
Like planes? See my “Does anyone remember” series.
Flight reviews your thing? Mine are all indexed here.
Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Sorry for commenting on an old post (you probably won’t see this) but I’m flying in seattle in about a week and will be taking a qatar flight to doha from there. Do you know if I will get access to this lounge because it’s a oneworld partner airline? Thanks so much!
Hello there! Yes, you should have access to this lounge if you’re a oneworld Sapphire or oneworld Emerald card holder. I think you’d also have access if you were flying in business class on Qatar as well. Have fun!
Thank you so much! I love your posts btw, especially the history ones
Thanks very much – I’ll make sure to do some more soon!
Lovely review!! We will definitely have to visit this lounge on our next layover! Thanks for being so detailed!
Thank you very much for the kind words! Really nice to hear when people appreciate the reviews!
It’s a lovely lounge. It’s too bad that on our visit, one of the attendants in the lounge was way less than pleasant. I do hope she’s either changed her attitude or been transferred to some spot where she doesn’t meet other people.
That’s a shame! Though I suppose people can’t be having a good day every day. Still, it does colour an experience, that’s for sure. Thanks for the comment!