Business Class from Seattle

12+ international Business Class carriers: Delta (SEA hub for transpacific), Alaska Airlines (Oneworld partner), ANA, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, plus seasonal Hainan Airlines and Condor.

Through a consolidator in shoulder season: SEA-NRT on Delta One or ANA at $3,200-$4,400 round-trip is typically the cheapest transpacific Business from SEA. SEA-ICN on Korean Air or Delta One at $3,000-$4,400 is competitive. SEA-LHR on BA Club Suite at $2,800-$3,800 is the cheapest transatlantic. For pure cheap Business, SEA-ICN on Korean Air often surfaces at $3,000 in deep off-peak.

SEA is typically $200-$500 cheaper than LAX on the same transpacific routes through a consolidator. SFO and SEA tend to cluster within $100-$200 of each other on most routes. For Pacific Northwest travelers, SEA is the obvious choice; for California travelers, LAX/SFO is more convenient. Delta One out of SEA has the deepest transpacific schedule of any US carrier from any US West Coast airport.

Alaska First Class is comparable to American Domestic First and United First, not lie-flat. For premium transcon (SEA-JFK, SEA-BOS), Delta One is the only lie-flat option from SEA. JetBlue Mint operates SEA-JFK with Mint Suite (closing-door domestic Business) as well. For pure domestic premium without lie-flat, Alaska First Class is competitive.

Two hours before international Business Class is sufficient with TSA Precheck. Without Precheck, 2.5 hours is safer; SEA standard TSA can run 30-45 minutes during peak periods. The S-Terminal underground train adds 10-15 minutes to your transit time after security, so factor that into arrival timing.

Yes. Delta SkyMiles is the most useful program for SEA transpacific Business (Delta hub). SkyMiles awards are dynamically priced but typically run 85,000-150,000 miles one-way SEA-NRT Business in non-peak. AAdvantage on JAL or Cathay charges 60,000-80,000 miles one-way SEA-NRT/HKG Business. ANA Mileage Club charges 75,000-85,000 miles one-way SEA-NRT on ANA "The Room". Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is excellent for ANA awards (90,000 miles one-way).