About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from William P Hobby (HOU) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Seattle. The right side wins overall because Mount Rainier on approach to SEA-TAC is one of the most spectacular single landmarks visible from any domestic US flight. While the left side has a good Houston departure view, the right side also picks up views of the Texas Hill Country during climb, the Rockies in New Mexico and Colorado in the middle of the flight, and the Cascades on descent — a consistently rewarding sequence.
What can I see during takeoff from William P Hobby in Houston?
During takeoff from William P Hobby (HOU), sit on the Left side for the best views. Hobby typically departs northwest on runway 22/04. A northwestbound departure on runway 04 puts the left side facing west over downtown Houston, Galveston Bay, and the Ship Channel industrial complex. You get a clear look at the Houston skyline and the sprawling petrochemical corridor along the bay. Notable sights include: Houston downtown skyline, Galveston Bay, Houston Ship Channel refineries, Clear Lake area (NASA JSC campus).
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. SEA-TAC primarily lands from the south on runways 16L/16R, meaning the approach track runs northward. The right side faces east, giving a direct view of the Cascade Range including Mount Rainier, which dominates the southeastern horizon on approach. The left side sees Puget Sound and the Olympics but Rainier is the standout feature. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range foothills, Lake Washington, Seattle city skyline.
How long is the flight from Houston to Seattle?
The flight from William P Hobby (HOU) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.
What does the Houston to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over the Texas Hill Country, then crosses the Llano Estacado flatlands of west Texas and eastern New Mexico. Over New Mexico and Colorado the southern Rockies are visible, including the Sangre de Cristo Range. The route then crosses the Great Basin desert of Utah and Nevada — flat, arid, and visually stark. Over southern Idaho the Snake River Plain is visible as a broad lava-floored valley. The Cascades appear as the flight descends into Washington state, with Mount Adams and Mount Rainier both potentially visible depending on cloud cover.