Seattle to London flight pathBFILHR

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Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time9h 30m
Distance4,781
Heading034° → 142°

Seattle to London is 4,781 miles (7,695 km), a flight of about 9 hours 30 minutes.

Best side
Left

Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During takeoff you get Lake Washington and the Cascades including Rainier, and on arrival into Heathrow you get Windsor Castle, the Thames, and the London skyline. The right seat offers comparatively little at either end.

Takeoff · BFILEFTLake Washington directly below, Mount Rainier to the southeast, the Cascade Range stretching north-south
Landing · LHRLEFTWindsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, the River Thames curving through Richmond and Twickenham, the urban sprawl of southwest London

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The great circle route from Seattle to London tracks northeast over British Columbia and Alberta, crossing the Canadian Rockies visible from both sides in good weather, then over Hudson Bay or northern Quebec depending on winds, across the Labrador Sea, southern Greenland's ice sheet and fjord coastline, then Iceland or the Faroe Islands, before descending across Scotland and northern England into London. The Greenland ice cap and Icelandic volcanic terrain are the most visually dramatic midpoint features.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Seattle (left side) — Lake Washington directly below, Mount Rainier to the southeast, the Cascade Range stretching north-south, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle briefly visible to the west during the turn

Takeoff from BFI

LEFT

BFI's primary departure runway is 13R, heading southeast, then aircraft typically turn northbound for transatlantic routing. On a left (east) seat during initial climb and northward turn, you get a direct view of Lake Washington and the Cascade Range. Mount Rainier dominates the southeast horizon at around 14,000 feet elevation and is unmistakable from the air.

Lake Washington directly belowMount Rainier to the southeastthe Cascade Range stretching north-southElliott Bay and downtown Seattle briefly visible to the west during the turn
Aerial window seat view during landing at London (left side) — Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, the River Thames curving through Richmond and Twickenham, the urban sprawl of southwest London, Wembley Stadium visible to the north if on 27L approach

Landing at LHR

LEFT

Heathrow's most common arrival is from the west on runway 27L or 27R, meaning the aircraft approaches heading east. A left (south-facing) seat on final approach gives you views over Windsor Castle, the Thames bending through west London, and the dense urban fabric of southwest London. The right seat faces north toward less distinctive suburban terrain.

Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Parkthe River Thames curving through Richmond and Twickenhamthe urban sprawl of southwest LondonWembley Stadium visible to the north if on 27L approach

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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 Heathrow (LHR)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to London. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During takeoff you get Lake Washington and the Cascades including Rainier, and on arrival into Heathrow you get Windsor Castle, the Thames, and the London skyline. The right seat offers comparatively little at either end.

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 Left side for the best views. BFI's primary departure runway is 13R, heading southeast, then aircraft typically turn northbound for transatlantic routing. On a left (east) seat during initial climb and northward turn, you get a direct view of Lake Washington and the Cascade Range. Mount Rainier dominates the southeast horizon at around 14,000 feet elevation and is unmistakable from the air. Notable sights include: Lake Washington directly below, Mount Rainier to the southeast, the Cascade Range stretching north-south, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle briefly visible to the west during the turn.

What can I see when landing at Heathrow in London?

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow's most common arrival is from the west on runway 27L or 27R, meaning the aircraft approaches heading east. A left (south-facing) seat on final approach gives you views over Windsor Castle, the Thames bending through west London, and the dense urban fabric of southwest London. The right seat faces north toward less distinctive suburban terrain. Notable sights include: Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, the River Thames curving through Richmond and Twickenham, the urban sprawl of southwest London, Wembley Stadium visible to the north if on 27L approach.

How long is the flight from Seattle to London?

The flight from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) to Heathrow (LHR) takes about 9 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,781 miles (7,695 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Seattle to London flight path pass over?

The great circle route from Seattle to London tracks northeast over British Columbia and Alberta, crossing the Canadian Rockies visible from both sides in good weather, then over Hudson Bay or northern Quebec depending on winds, across the Labrador Sea, southern Greenland's ice sheet and fjord coastline, then Iceland or the Faroe Islands, before descending across Scotland and northern England into London. The Greenland ice cap and Icelandic volcanic terrain are the most visually dramatic midpoint features.