The great-circle route from Amsterdam to Seattle passes near Scotland, southern Greenland, and Baffin Island, all of which appear on the left side of the aircraft as it flies a northwesterly track across the Atlantic and Arctic. This side offers dramatic glacier and fjord scenery for a long stretch of the cruise, far outweighing the mostly open-ocean views on the right.
Flown AMS to BFI? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Amsterdam to Seattle is 4,867 miles (7,832 km), a flight of about 9 hours 45 minutes.
Southern Greenland's ice sheet and fjord coastline, Davis Strait, and the southern tip of Baffin Island are visible along the polar routing before the flight continues over Hudson Bay and the Canadian prairies toward the Rockies and Cascades.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
LEFTDeparting Schiphol southbound before turning northwest, the left side offers views of the Dutch polders, the IJsselmeer, and Amsterdam's canal-ringed core before the aircraft climbs out over the North Sea coast. The right side mostly shows flat farmland with fewer distinguishing features.
Landing at BFI
RIGHTOn approach to Boeing Field from the north with a landing to the southeast, the right side faces east toward the Cascade foothills, giving passengers a good look at Mount Rainier's snow-capped cone rising above the horizon. The left side instead faces the Olympic Mountains, which are attractive but usually farther and hazier from this angle.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Seattle. The great-circle route from Amsterdam to Seattle passes near Scotland, southern Greenland, and Baffin Island, all of which appear on the left side of the aircraft as it flies a northwesterly track across the Atlantic and Arctic. This side offers dramatic glacier and fjord scenery for a long stretch of the cruise, far outweighing the mostly open-ocean views on the right.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Schiphol southbound before turning northwest, the left side offers views of the Dutch polders, the IJsselmeer, and Amsterdam's canal-ringed core before the aircraft climbs out over the North Sea coast. The right side mostly shows flat farmland with fewer distinguishing features. Notable sights include: IJsselmeer, Amsterdam canal ring, Dutch polder farmland, North Sea coastline.
What can I see when landing at Boeing Fld King Co International in Seattle?
When landing at Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach to Boeing Field from the north with a landing to the southeast, the right side faces east toward the Cascade foothills, giving passengers a good look at Mount Rainier's snow-capped cone rising above the horizon. The left side instead faces the Olympic Mountains, which are attractive but usually farther and hazier from this angle. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade foothills, Lake Washington, downtown Seattle skyline.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Seattle?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) takes about 9 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,867 miles (7,832 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Amsterdam to Seattle flight path pass over?
Southern Greenland's ice sheet and fjord coastline, Davis Strait, and the southern tip of Baffin Island are visible along the polar routing before the flight continues over Hudson Bay and the Canadian prairies toward the Rockies and Cascades.