About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Port Columbus International (CMH) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Columbus to Seattle. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the northern Rockies and Cascades, the left side also tends to offer better views of the Idaho and Montana mountain terrain as the flight tracks northwest, making it the consistent choice for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Port Columbus International in Columbus?
During takeoff from Port Columbus International (CMH), sit on the Left side for the best views. CMH primarily uses runways 10L/28R and 10R/28L. Departing westbound on runway 28, a left-side seat gives you a view back over downtown Columbus as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. The Scioto River and its confluence with the Olentangy are clearly visible threading through the city grid. Notable sights include: Downtown Columbus skyline, Scioto River, Olentangy River confluence, Ohio State University campus (oval and stadium footprint).
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's primary arrival runways are 16L and 16R, meaning aircraft approach from the north heading south. A left-side seat on this approach gives a direct view east toward Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range, which dominates the horizon. You also get Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle passing to the right of your view, but the Cascades and Rainier on the left are the more dramatic payoff. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range, Lake Washington, Mount Baker (distant, to the north).
How long is the flight from Columbus to Seattle?
The flight from Port Columbus International (CMH) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.
What does the Columbus to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over Indiana and Illinois flatlands, then crosses the Mississippi River near the Quad Cities area, continues over Iowa and South Dakota plains, crosses the Missouri River, then enters the northern Rocky Mountains over Wyoming and Montana with dramatic ridgelines and river valleys visible, crosses into Idaho over the Bitterroot Range, and descends through the Columbia Plateau and Cascades into Seattle.