About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to Seattle. The left side wins overall. While the right side has a decent Atlanta departure view, the left side delivers the superior experience across the flight: you track the Rocky Mountains through Colorado and Utah in the middle portion of the flight, and the Mount Rainier and Seattle arrival sequence on the left is one of the most spectacular approaches in the continental US.
What can I see during takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
During takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. ATL primarily uses runways 8L/8R/9L/9R for westbound departures, meaning a right-side seat faces north toward downtown Atlanta. You get a clear view of the Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain to the northeast, and Lake Lanier as the aircraft climbs out heading northwest. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain, Lake Lanier, Chattahoochee River corridor.
What can I see when landing at Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?
When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. SEA-TAC predominantly uses runways 16L/16R for southerly arrivals, meaning the approach comes from the north heading south. A left-side seat faces east toward the Cascade Range, giving you a direct view of Mount Rainier dominating the horizon and the full Seattle skyline as you descend over Puget Sound. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, Lake Washington.
How long is the flight from Atlanta to Seattle?
The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.
What does the Atlanta to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Mississippi River near Memphis, then traverses the Ozark Plateau into Oklahoma and Texas panhandle. Over New Mexico and Colorado the southern Rockies come into view including the Sangre de Cristo Range. Crossing Utah you may see the Colorado Plateau canyon systems. Over Nevada the Basin and Range terrain gives way to the Sierra Nevada on the California-Nevada border, then the Cascades of Oregon including Mount Hood and Mount Adams become visible before the Seattle descent.