Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Houston to Seattle. The Mount Rainier approach on the right side at landing is one of the most spectacular arrivals in the continental US, and the right side also captures Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. While the left side at takeoff has Houston's skyline, the Seattle arrival scenery on the right is far more dramatic and memorable for the full flight experience.

During takeoff from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH), sit on the Left side for the best views. IAH typically departs northbound on runways 26L/26R or 15L/15R. On a northwest-bound departure toward Seattle, the left side gives you a view back over downtown Houston's skyline and the Ship Channel industrial complex. The right side faces open suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Houston skyline, Houston Ship Channel and refinery complex, Lake Houston to the northeast, Buffalo Bayou corridor.

When landing at Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI), sit on the Right side for the best views. BFI sits just south of downtown Seattle, and aircraft typically approach from the south on runway 13L/13R heading northwest. The right side on approach gives you Mount Rainier looming to the southeast, Elliott Bay and the Seattle waterfront, and the Olympic Mountains across Puget Sound. The left side faces east toward the Cascade foothills with less dramatic composition. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft), Elliott Bay and Seattle waterfront, Puget Sound with Olympic Mountains on the far shore, Lake Washington.

The flight from George Bush Intcntl Houston (IAH) to Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.

The route tracks northwest over east Texas, crossing the Red River into Oklahoma, then over the Texas Panhandle and into New Mexico or Colorado airspace. At cruise altitude you pass over the southern Rockies — the Sangre de Cristo range and San Juan Mountains are visible below. Continuing northwest over Utah's high desert plateau country, then across southern Idaho's Snake River Plain before descending into the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia River Gorge may be visible on the left side during descent, and the Cascade volcanoes — Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens — become visible on the right side as you approach Seattle.