The right side strings together the best moments of the trip: Lake St. Clair and Detroit's skyline at takeoff, a chance at Glacier National Park's peaks and the northern Great Lakes shoreline during cruise, and Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains on arrival. The left side is dominated by the flatter Great Plains and only offers a possible glimpse of Mount Rainier near touchdown.
Flown DET to SEA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Detroit to Seattle is 1,932 miles (3,110 km), a flight of about 4 hours 55 minutes.
Route crosses the northern Great Lakes region (Lake Michigan and Lake Superior shorelines), the farmland of Minnesota and North Dakota, the North Dakota Badlands, and the Rocky Mountain Front near Glacier National Park in Montana before crossing the Cascade Range into Washington.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DET
RIGHTAs the aircraft climbs out of DET and banks toward the west, the right side gives a clear look at Lake St. Clair's broad blue expanse and the Detroit River corridor, with downtown Detroit's skyline and Belle Isle Park visible below before the plane levels off. The left side mostly shows flat suburban Michigan with no distinguishing features.
Landing at SEA
RIGHTOn the typical northerly approach into SEA, the aircraft descends south over Puget Sound, and the right side faces west toward the water, giving passengers a strong view of the Sound's islands and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains beyond. The left side instead faces inland toward the flatter Kent Valley and distant foothills, which is far less dramatic.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Detroit City (DET) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Seattle. The right side strings together the best moments of the trip: Lake St. Clair and Detroit's skyline at takeoff, a chance at Glacier National Park's peaks and the northern Great Lakes shoreline during cruise, and Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains on arrival. The left side is dominated by the flatter Great Plains and only offers a possible glimpse of Mount Rainier near touchdown.
What can I see during takeoff from Detroit City in Detroit?
During takeoff from Detroit City (DET), sit on the Right side for the best views. As the aircraft climbs out of DET and banks toward the west, the right side gives a clear look at Lake St. Clair's broad blue expanse and the Detroit River corridor, with downtown Detroit's skyline and Belle Isle Park visible below before the plane levels off. The left side mostly shows flat suburban Michigan with no distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Detroit River, Belle Isle Park, Downtown Detroit skyline, Lake St. Clair.
What can I see when landing at Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?
When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the typical northerly approach into SEA, the aircraft descends south over Puget Sound, and the right side faces west toward the water, giving passengers a strong view of the Sound's islands and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains beyond. The left side instead faces inland toward the flatter Kent Valley and distant foothills, which is far less dramatic. Notable sights include: Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains, Bainbridge/Vashon Islands, Seattle skyline near Elliott Bay.
How long is the flight from Detroit to Seattle?
The flight from Detroit City (DET) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes about 4 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,932 miles (3,110 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Detroit to Seattle flight path pass over?
Route crosses the northern Great Lakes region (Lake Michigan and Lake Superior shorelines), the farmland of Minnesota and North Dakota, the North Dakota Badlands, and the Rocky Mountain Front near Glacier National Park in Montana before crossing the Cascade Range into Washington.