Which airports are mold-safe: SeaTac vs PDX?
Posted by L.N. · 7/20/2026
R.M.P. thank you! Any chance you’ve been to the United Lounge in either of the airports?
27 comments
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Member · 7/20/2026
C gates at SEATAC are old and leaky and moldy (you can smell it)
Member · 7/20/2026
PDX totally rebuilt in the last few years. It's incredible! I live 20 minutes away and fly in and out of there all the time.
Member · 7/20/2026
I haven't been to pdx, but Seattle is fine
Member · 7/20/2026
SeaTac has been remodeling their terminals and is in pretty good shape. I don’t know about Portland.
Member · 7/20/2026
I’ve been in SeaTac off and on for years (we live in WA) and never have had any issues and have never seen or smelled mold there.
Member · 7/20/2026
I was in the Portland airport for like 8 hours last year. I was fine and didn’t have issues but we were in what appears to be a new part of the airport. It was big and spacious. We went to get food in a more cramped old area so I’m not sure about over there.
Member · 7/20/2026
I think it depends on where you are in each. I have experienced mold in both. Pdx is under a major renovation but parts are still moldy. If you layover in pdx just go spend time in new area.
Member · 7/20/2026
I’ve lived in both cities and the Portland airport is an absolute treat! Hands-down, fly through PDX https://www.kptv.com/.../look-inside-final-phase-pdx.../ KPTV.COM A look inside final phase of PDX main terminal construction
Member · 7/20/2026
The PDX airport was redone and I did fine there, except for in baggage claim. That part is not updated and was gross. But collecting your bags usually is a quick process so for me it was fine.
Member · 7/20/2026
I’ve done great at SeaTac
Member · 7/20/2026
PDX is great. Seattle is mostly great except I had a reaction in an older section. Unfortunately I don’t remember which gate. Between the two, I would choose PDX.
Member · 7/20/2026
PDX is so much easier to travel through than SEATAC. Both have old and new sections so the terminal makes a difference. I have been more bothered by new carpet than mold at both airports.
Member · 7/20/2026
i live in portland. its fine. never had any issues and they just remodeled
Member · 7/20/2026
SeaTac has been great
Member · 7/20/2026
I've been fine in SeaTac. I used to live in the Seattle area.
Member · 7/20/2026
SeaTac is mostly fine for me. Older section with B and C gates has some mold, but the new sections are great.
Member · 7/20/2026
I was in a newer terminal at SeaTac this spring a few times and I was fine - the centurion lounge is also new and open aired so another good spot there.
Member · 7/20/2026
Both are fine. SEA smells like mold in parts but feels ok. I prefer PDX, but I’m from there.
Member · 7/20/2026
I’ve never noticed a problem in Portland, and I’m very sensitive. I don’t fly super often though,
Member · 7/20/2026
Portland is great and quite a beautiful site to see
Member · 7/20/2026
B and C in Seatac definitely moldy. I don't go until it is boarding.
Member · 7/20/2026
I smell less mold in pdx airport they also just completed a remodel at least in parts. But it might depend on which concourse I've been flying in Alaska and United and seems mostly ok except the first part of the United gates.
Member · 7/20/2026
PDX is very moldy, but I don’t think Seattle would be much better. The entire PNW is full of WDB and toxic molds. I will not step foot in either state and I grew up in Portland. It is the reason I will have CIRS for the rest of my life.
Member · 7/20/2026
I live in Pdx. They redid the main part of the airport so that part is fantastic. A lot of the airport is fine however, there is one terminal with a handful of gates that is super moldy. So just depends where your gate is. Also, of course depends how sensitive you are.
Member · 7/20/2026
The new terminal in pdx is great! Old one (can’t remember which), I had a reaction this spring but short lived. I also have had severe reactions in the pdx rental car garage twice but likely high emf vs mold. Good luck!
Member · 7/20/2026
SeaTac had flooded a few years back. Not sure which part.
Member · 7/20/2026
We are pretty mold sensitive and had no reactions to SEATAC as of December. We masked for much of it but removed masks to eat and drink. Have not been through PDX