The right side wins overall because the Seattle departure view is genuinely spectacular — Elliott Bay, downtown, and Lake Washington all at once is hard to beat. The Doha landing on the left is excellent but shorter in duration. Right side also catches the Canadian Rockies during the early climb-out phase heading northeast.
Flown BFI to DOH? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to Doha is 7,393 miles (11,897 km), a flight of about 16 hours.
The great circle route from Seattle to Doha tracks northeast over British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies, then across the vast boreal forests of northern Canada and Hudson Bay region, over Greenland's ice sheet, across northern Europe including Scandinavia or the UK depending on routing, then southeast over Turkey, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula before descending into Qatar. The Greenland ice sheet and the Alps or Anatolian plateau are the most visually dramatic midpoint features at cruising altitude.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BFI
RIGHTBFI's primary departure runway 13R sends aircraft southeast, then routing northeast over the city. The right side gives you a clear look at downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and Lake Washington simultaneously during the initial climb. Left side faces industrial south Seattle and not much else.
Landing at DOH
LEFTDoha's runway 16 approach brings aircraft in from the north-northwest, meaning the left side faces west over the Qatari peninsula and the shallow turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf. You get a direct view of the West Bay skyline and the distinctive geometry of the Doha corniche as you descend.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) to Hamad International Airport (DOH)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Doha. The right side wins overall because the Seattle departure view is genuinely spectacular — Elliott Bay, downtown, and Lake Washington all at once is hard to beat. The Doha landing on the left is excellent but shorter in duration. Right side also catches the Canadian Rockies during the early climb-out phase heading northeast.
What can I see during takeoff from Boeing Fld King Co International in Seattle?
During takeoff from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI), sit on the Right side for the best views. BFI's primary departure runway 13R sends aircraft southeast, then routing northeast over the city. The right side gives you a clear look at downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and Lake Washington simultaneously during the initial climb. Left side faces industrial south Seattle and not much else. Notable sights include: Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle skyline, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Mount Rainier to the southeast.
What can I see when landing at Hamad International Airport in Doha?
When landing at Hamad International Airport (DOH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Doha's runway 16 approach brings aircraft in from the north-northwest, meaning the left side faces west over the Qatari peninsula and the shallow turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf. You get a direct view of the West Bay skyline and the distinctive geometry of the Doha corniche as you descend. Notable sights include: West Bay skyscraper cluster, Doha Corniche waterfront arc, shallow turquoise Persian Gulf waters, Palm Tree Island.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Doha?
The flight from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) to Hamad International Airport (DOH) takes about 16 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 7,393 miles (11,897 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Doha flight path pass over?
The great circle route from Seattle to Doha tracks northeast over British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies, then across the vast boreal forests of northern Canada and Hudson Bay region, over Greenland's ice sheet, across northern Europe including Scandinavia or the UK depending on routing, then southeast over Turkey, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula before descending into Qatar. The Greenland ice sheet and the Alps or Anatolian plateau are the most visually dramatic midpoint features at cruising altitude.