Sea-Tac Airport's new satellite is light and bright, but only a third complete

Our region's growth has made Sea-Tac Airport a crowded place.

That tension eased a little as the Port of Seattle opened eight new gates at its north satellite.

Also new for the formerly dark and unspectacular north satellite: a new Alaska lounge.

The changes are part of a master plan to squeeze maximum efficiency out of Sea-Tac, where growth in passengers frequently tests the limits.

The opening means a third of the modernization and expansion of the 45-year-old terminal is complete. On July 15, the work of the terminal switches fully to the new section while the rest is closed for more work.

"After July 15, it's all 21st Century,” said Lance Lyttle, Sea-Tac’s managing director. “You won't be able to access the 20th century anymore."