SEA – Main Terminal – American Express Centurion Lounge – Airline Lounge Review

B-Gates, Terminal 1, Seattle Tacoma Airport, Washington State (SEA)

Based on Visit: 9 June 2022 approximately 1pm

Introduction

This is my review of the Centurion Lounge (by American Express) at Seattle Tacoma Airport, also known as Sea-Tac.

Having gone to the Alaska Lounge between C and D Gates, and not having great lunch options – I thought I’d try the Centurion Lounge.

I’ll kick this off by saying I had to wait in a 20-minute wait queue to get into the lounge! When I got into the lounge, I was asked for my phone number and told I would be sent a text when there as a space. Around 10 minutes I received a text, which got me in.

Once in I was escorted to a high-table, which wasn’t my ideal choice of seat – but this was all that was available.

Entry Conditions

This is somewhat of a mystery to me, and seemingly it depends which country issued your Amex.

In my case I gained entry for me and a plus one with my Platinum Amex. However, it seems (at least in the US) other Amex users can also access the lounge – which may explain the queues to get in!

Opening Times

The lounge is open daily from 05:00 to 22:00.

How to Get There

Taking a walk to the B-Gates wing (Delta Airlines’ gate), opposite B3 you’ll find the entrance to the Centurion Lounge – though you’ll probably see the queue first! 

Layout

This lounge is fairly modest in size, with I’d guess, a capacity for no more than 100.

As you enter the lounge, to the left you’ll find some casual seating and the self-service food.

If you continue straight on, you’ll find the bar area. Around the bar area there is high-table seating and of course the bar area!

That’s pretty much it – almost entirely casual seating. I didn’t find any business center or any other places to work comfortably – or more importantly quietly!

Food and Drink

Drinks

Starting with the drinks; I have to say I was extremely impressed with a hugely wide-ranging bar menu and proactive cocktails menu. It’s rare to impress me in lounges, but this did!

The service is a ‘proper’ bar service, and I have to say the bar tenders were very friendly and enthusiastic!

Also dotted around the lounge are self-service options for hot and soft drinks.

Food

On the food side, there was substantially more food options than the Alaska Lounges. Chicken and rice dishes were available as the hot options.

There are also self-service cakes and other snacks.

Of course, like any other airline lounge in the world, all food is served on the smallest plates in the world!  

Wifi

The wifi was easily accessed and perfect for work emails – though I didn’t download anything huge.

Showers

There are showers available, but they appeared to be locked – I guess you ask if you want to use them. But they do exist which is a bonus!

Conclusion

Well, this is quite a nice (albeit small) lounge, with a great bar service.  

The queuing to get in is frustrating – given that having a Platinum Amex is supposed to be somewhat exclusive. But it seems access was granted to a variety of different card Amex holders.

America isn’t really renowned for its quality of airline lounges (though I’ve found the American Airlines Flagship Lounges to be very good) – so this is an OK lounge for a couple of hours tops. If you don’t mind waiting 30 minutes to get in, that is!