About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Seattle. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get the Detroit River and city views, and on approach to SeaTac the left side delivers the iconic Mount Rainier view plus Elliott Bay and the Seattle skyline — the most visually rewarding moment of the entire route.
What can I see during takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co in Detroit?
During takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Left side for the best views. DTW's primary departure runways (21L/21R heading southwest, or 04L/04R heading northeast) mean a left-side seat gives you views over the Detroit River and downtown Detroit skyline during the initial climb. You'll see the Windsor, Ontario waterfront directly across the river and Lake Erie to the southeast as the aircraft banks westward. Notable sights include: Detroit River, downtown Detroit skyline, Lake Erie to the southeast, Windsor Ontario waterfront.
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 arrivals, meaning aircraft approach from the north heading south. A left-side seat on approach gives you a direct view east toward Mount Rainier, which dominates the horizon at 14,411 feet and is unmistakable on clear days. You'll also see Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle, and the Olympic Peninsula across Puget Sound. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier to the east, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains on the western horizon.
How long is the flight from Detroit to Seattle?
The flight from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.
What does the Detroit to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over Lake Michigan (visible from both sides early in the flight), then crosses Wisconsin and Minnesota. Over North Dakota and Montana the terrain transitions to the Great Plains and then the Missouri River drainage. The Rocky Mountains appear in western Montana and Idaho — the Bitterroot Range and Clearwater Mountains are crossed — before descending into the Columbia Plateau of eastern Washington, with the Columbia River visible as a major landmark before the Cascades rise on the western horizon.