Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Helena to Seattle. The right side captures the Cascade Range during the cruise portion of the flight — including the volcanic cone of Mount Rainier visible to the south as you approach Seattle — and then delivers the outstanding Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains view on landing approach. The left side has a good Helena departure but loses out during cruise and arrival.

During takeoff from Helena Rgnl (HLN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Helena Regional typically departs westbound on runway 27, so the left (south) side gives you a clear look at the Elkhorn Mountains and the broad Helena Valley floor as you climb out. The right side faces north toward less dramatic terrain. Notable sights include: Helena Valley floor, Elkhorn Mountains to the south, Missouri River corridor, Mount Helena ridgeline.

When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Seattle-Tacoma typically lands from the south on runways 16L/16R, meaning the aircraft approaches from the south-southeast. The right (west) side gives you Puget Sound, the Olympic Peninsula across the water, and the Seattle waterfront. The left side faces inland toward the Cascades but is partially obscured by the fuselage angle on final approach. Notable sights include: Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula and Olympic Mountains, Seattle waterfront and downtown skyline, Vashon Island.

The flight from Helena Rgnl (HLN) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight crosses the Bitterroot Range and the Idaho Panhandle, then tracks over the Cascade Range in central Washington. Mount Rainier is visible to the south as you descend toward Seattle. The Columbia River drainage and Yakima Valley are visible below during the mid-flight descent phase.