Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Seattle. Left side wins both departure and arrival. The Detroit River and skyline on takeoff are solid, but the Mount Rainier and Cascade Range view on approach into Sea-Tac is genuinely world-class and alone justifies the seat choice for the whole flight.

During takeoff from Detroit City (DET), sit on the Left side for the best views. Detroit City Airport typically departs runway 33 (heading northwest), putting the left side facing southwest over downtown Detroit and the Detroit River. You get a clear view of the Detroit skyline, the river, and Windsor, Ontario across the border. Notable sights include: Downtown Detroit skyline, Detroit River, Windsor Ontario waterfront, Belle Isle Park in the river.

When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Seattle-Tacoma International primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southbound arrivals, meaning the aircraft approaches from the north heading south. The left side faces east toward the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier, which is one of the most dramatic mountain views available on any US domestic approach. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range, Lake Washington, Puget Sound.

The flight from Detroit City (DET) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.

The flight tracks northwest over Lake Michigan, then across southern Wisconsin and Minnesota, followed by the open plains of North Dakota and Montana. Over Montana the Northern Rockies become visible, including the Glacier National Park region and the Continental Divide. The route then crosses the Cascades of northern Idaho and Washington before descending into Seattle.