While the Boise departure favors the right side, the left side wins overall thanks to distant views of the Cascade volcanoes during cruise and an especially strong close-up of Mount Rainier on final descent into Seattle.
Flown BOI to SEA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Boise to Seattle is 398 miles (641 km), a flight of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon, the Columbia Plateau, and the eastern foothills of the Cascade Range near the Yakima Valley
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from BOI
RIGHTDeparting BOI on runway 28, the aircraft climbs northwest and then banks toward Seattle, putting the Boise foothills and Table Rock/Bogus Basin high country on the right side. Passengers get a good look at the Boise River valley and the abrupt transition from city to sagebrush foothills before the plane levels off.
Landing at SEA
LEFTOn the descent into SEA from the southeast, the flight path passes north of Mount Rainier, giving left-side passengers a close, unobstructed view of its snow-capped summit rising above the forested Cascade foothills. This is a far more dramatic sight than the flatter approach view on the right.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Boise Air Terminal (BOI) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Boise to Seattle. While the Boise departure favors the right side, the left side wins overall thanks to distant views of the Cascade volcanoes during cruise and an especially strong close-up of Mount Rainier on final descent into Seattle.
What can I see during takeoff from Boise Air Terminal in Boise?
During takeoff from Boise Air Terminal (BOI), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing BOI on runway 28, the aircraft climbs northwest and then banks toward Seattle, putting the Boise foothills and Table Rock/Bogus Basin high country on the right side. Passengers get a good look at the Boise River valley and the abrupt transition from city to sagebrush foothills before the plane levels off. Notable sights include: Boise foothills, Table Rock, Bogus Basin, Boise River valley.
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. On the descent into SEA from the southeast, the flight path passes north of Mount Rainier, giving left-side passengers a close, unobstructed view of its snow-capped summit rising above the forested Cascade foothills. This is a far more dramatic sight than the flatter approach view on the right. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade foothills, Green River valley, distant Puget Sound haze.
How long is the flight from Boise to Seattle?
The flight from Boise Air Terminal (BOI) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 398 miles (641 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Boise to Seattle flight path pass over?
Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon, the Columbia Plateau, and the eastern foothills of the Cascade Range near the Yakima Valley