Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
Inbound; initially expecting runway 16R; then switched to 16L for a visual approach due to traffic on approach to 16R. Switched to tower; then cleared to land 16L. Just prior to landing 16L; heard tower controller give [another] flight that had just landed 16R a clearance to cross 16C and 16L. Since we were about to land 16L; I made a quick call to the tower that we were on short final to 16L. The controller immediately had [the other aircraft] hold short 16L; which they did. We landed uneventfully.I could see the [other] flight on the taxiway approaching 16C when the clearance to cross 16L was given. Based on the timing; had [the other aircraft] continued to cross 16L as cleared; we likely would have arrived at that intersection on the runway at the same time. Luckily for all of us; we were paying attention and heard the clearance given to [the other aircraft] to cross the runway we were about to land on and were able to avoid a runway incursion.The controller stated after landing that we were the first to land 16L in a while. Due to the complexity of SEA and that the vast majority of flights land 16R; anytime there is a runway change can create an Expectation Bias or Loss of Situational Awareness among the controllers and/or pilots. Obviously mistakes have and will be made with runway changes; so it's important that we pay attention to what's happening around us. In this case; a clearance that was not for us had a direct impact on our flight.
Q400 Captain reported he was on short final to SEA Runway 16L when he heard Tower clear another aircraft to cross the runway. Tower cancelled that clearance after a heads-up from the reporter.