About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Seattle. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get the full DC monumental core along the Potomac, and on landing you get Mount Rainier and the Cascades on approach into SeaTac. During the cruise the left side also faces slightly more toward the northern Rockies as the route tracks northwest, though at 35,000 feet both sides see similar high-altitude terrain.
What can I see during takeoff from Ronald Reagan Washington National in Washington?
During takeoff from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), sit on the Left side for the best views. DCA's primary departure runway 01 heads north, then aircraft typically bank left (west) for the river departure procedure. The left side gets the Potomac River, the National Mall, and the Capitol dome as you climb out over the city. Right side faces Virginia suburbs with no comparable landmarks. Notable sights include: Potomac River, National Mall and Capitol building, Georgetown waterfront, Arlington Memorial Bridge.
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. SeaTac primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southbound landings, meaning the approach comes from the north. The left side faces east toward Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range on final approach, which is one of the most dramatic mountain views available from any major US airport approach. Right side faces west over Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, which is scenic but less dramatic than Rainier. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range, Lake Washington, downtown Seattle skyline.
How long is the flight from Washington to Seattle?
The flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Washington to Seattle flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest from DC across the Appalachians over Pennsylvania and Ohio, then across the flat upper Midwest over Indiana and Illinois, crossing the Missouri River near Sioux City. Over South Dakota and Montana the northern Great Plains give way to the Missouri Breaks terrain. The northern Rocky Mountains appear over western Montana and Idaho — the Bitterroot Range and Clearwater Mountains are visible below before descending toward the Columbia Plateau and the Cascades on approach to Seattle.