While takeoff offers good coastal views, the landing approach into Seattle provides more dramatic and iconic scenery with Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascade Range. Left-side seats capture these features best during descent.
Flown GIG to SEA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Rio De Janeiro to Seattle is 6,884 miles (11,078 km), a flight of about 13 hours 15 minutes.
This northwesterly route crosses the Amazon Basin (largely obscured by cloud cover typical for the region), then passes over Central America and the Caribbean. Over the Gulf of Mexico and southern United States, you may see the Mississippi River delta, Gulf Coast, and the Rocky Mountain chain. The flight path generally follows a great-circle route across the continent, with the most visually interesting segments being the departure from Rio's coastal geography and the arrival approach into the Pacific Northwest with its dramatic topography.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from GIG
RIGHTRight-side seats offer immediate views of Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic coastline as the aircraft climbs northward from GIG. You'll see the bay's distinctive geography and the city sprawl of Rio's northern suburbs receding below.
Landing at SEA
LEFTLeft-side seats provide excellent views during the descent approach into SEA. You'll see the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier to the southeast, plus Puget Sound's distinctive water features and the Seattle metropolitan area layout.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Rio De Janeiro to Seattle. While takeoff offers good coastal views, the landing approach into Seattle provides more dramatic and iconic scenery with Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascade Range. Left-side seats capture these features best during descent.
What can I see during takeoff from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim in Rio De Janeiro?
During takeoff from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer immediate views of Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic coastline as the aircraft climbs northward from GIG. You'll see the bay's distinctive geography and the city sprawl of Rio's northern suburbs receding below. Notable sights include: Guanabara Bay, Niterói across the bay, Atlantic Ocean coastline, Serra da Carioca mountain range to the west.
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. Left-side seats provide excellent views during the descent approach into SEA. You'll see the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier to the southeast, plus Puget Sound's distinctive water features and the Seattle metropolitan area layout. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft, visible as a snow-capped peak), Puget Sound, Lake Washington, Cascade Range.
How long is the flight from Rio De Janeiro to Seattle?
The flight from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes about 13 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,884 miles (11,078 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Rio De Janeiro to Seattle flight path pass over?
This northwesterly route crosses the Amazon Basin (largely obscured by cloud cover typical for the region), then passes over Central America and the Caribbean. Over the Gulf of Mexico and southern United States, you may see the Mississippi River delta, Gulf Coast, and the Rocky Mountain chain. The flight path generally follows a great-circle route across the continent, with the most visually interesting segments being the departure from Rio's coastal geography and the arrival approach into the Pacific Northwest with its dramatic topography.