About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International (CVG) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Cincinnati to Seattle. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get the Ohio River and Cincinnati, and at landing you get the full Seattle panorama including Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, and Elliott Bay. Over the Rockies and Cascades mid-flight, both sides offer mountain views, but the left side tends to have slightly better angles on the northern Rockies and Cascades approaching from the east.
What can I see during takeoff from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International in Cincinnati?
During takeoff from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International (CVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. CVG's primary departure runway 18L/36R means northwestbound departures to SEA typically head west then north, putting the Ohio River and downtown Cincinnati on the left side. You get a clear view of the river bends and the Cincinnati skyline as the aircraft climbs out over Kentucky. Notable sights include: Ohio River bends, Cincinnati downtown skyline, Kentucky farmland patchwork, I-275 beltway arc.
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 from the east typically uses runways 16L/16R, meaning aircraft approach from the northeast over Lake Washington and descend over the eastern suburbs. The left side gives you Mount Rainier to the south, the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, and Puget Sound laid out in sequence as you descend. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay, Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains.
How long is the flight from Cincinnati to Seattle?
The flight from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International (CVG) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.
What does the Cincinnati to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the flat agricultural plains of Indiana and Illinois, then the Mississippi River near the Iowa-Illinois border. Over Iowa and South Dakota the terrain remains flat. The Missouri River is visible crossing the Dakotas. The flight then crosses the northern Rocky Mountains over Montana or Wyoming depending on routing, with the Bighorn Mountains and then the Absaroka Range visible. Over Idaho the Snake River Plain is distinctive. The Cascades are crossed in Washington state before descending into the Puget Sound basin.