About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Seattle. Left side wins both departure and arrival. During the flight, the left side also tracks closer to the northern Rockies and Cascades as the route arcs northwest, offering better views of the Columbia River Basin and the volcanic peaks of the Cascades on descent.
What can I see during takeoff from Washington Dulles International in Washington?
During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dulles typically departs westbound on runway 19R/01L or eastbound on 30. On the dominant westbound departures heading northwest toward the route, the left side picks up the Potomac River valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the broader DC metro sprawl. Right side faces south toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Potomac River valley, Blue Ridge Mountains (first ridge visible to the west), Dulles Access Road corridor, Loudoun County farmland patchwork.
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 lands on runways 16L/16R heading south, meaning the aircraft approaches from the north over Puget Sound. The left side faces east, giving a direct view of Mount Rainier dominating the horizon and the Cascade Range. The right side faces west toward the Olympic Peninsula across Puget Sound, which is scenic but less dramatic. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft, unmistakable isolated volcano to the southeast), Puget Sound (visible below on approach), Cascade Range ridgeline, Lake Washington.
How long is the flight from Washington to Seattle?
The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Washington to Seattle flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Appalachian ridges briefly after departure, then traverses the Ohio and Indiana flatlands, crosses the Mississippi River near the Iowa-Illinois border, tracks over the Great Plains of South Dakota and Wyoming, crosses the northern Rocky Mountains including the Wind River Range and Bighorn Mountains, then descends over the Columbia Plateau of eastern Washington before crossing the Cascades and descending into SeaTac.