The right side wins overall because the Seattle arrival view across Elliott Bay and Puget Sound is one of the most visually rewarding urban approaches in North America. The Helsinki departure on the left is excellent but the right side also picks up Greenland's ice sheet and Canadian Arctic coastline during the polar routing, making it competitive throughout the flight.
Flight Path
The great circle polar route passes over northern Scandinavia and the Norwegian Sea, then crosses the southern tip of Greenland where the ice sheet and fjords are visible, followed by the Davis Strait, Baffin Island's tundra and lakes, Hudson Bay's western shore, then the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, and finally the Cascade Range before descent into Seattle.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Helsinki to Seattle. The right side wins overall because the Seattle arrival view across Elliott Bay and Puget Sound is one of the most visually rewarding urban approaches in North America. The Helsinki departure on the left is excellent but the right side also picks up Greenland's ice sheet and Canadian Arctic coastline during the polar routing, making it competitive throughout the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Helsinki Vantaa in Helsinki?
During takeoff from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Helsinki Vantaa's primary departure runways (04L/04R heading northeast, or 22L/22R heading southwest) mean a left-side seat gives you the city of Helsinki and the archipelago of the Gulf of Finland as you climb out heading southwest toward the polar route. You get a clear view of the Helsinki peninsula, Suomenlinna sea fortress island, and the sprawling Baltic archipelago. Notable sights include: Helsinki city center peninsula, Suomenlinna sea fortress, Gulf of Finland archipelago, Lake Vanajavesi to the northwest.
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. Seattle-Tacoma typically uses runways 16L/16R for arrivals from the north, meaning the aircraft approaches heading south. A right-side seat faces west, giving you Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle's skyline, and Puget Sound. The left side faces east toward the Cascades but the city and water views on the right are more dramatic on final approach. Notable sights include: Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, Vashon Island, Mount Rainier on the eastern horizon.
How long is the flight from Helsinki to Seattle?
The flight from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours depending on winds and routing.
What does the Helsinki to Seattle flight path pass over?
The great circle polar route passes over northern Scandinavia and the Norwegian Sea, then crosses the southern tip of Greenland where the ice sheet and fjords are visible, followed by the Davis Strait, Baffin Island's tundra and lakes, Hudson Bay's western shore, then the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, and finally the Cascade Range before descent into Seattle.