About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Seattle. The left side delivers the more dramatic and varied experience overall. The Manhattan skyline departure is one of the most iconic urban aerial views in the world, and across the northern Rockies and Cascades, the left side tracks closer to the Canadian Rockies and the volcanic peaks of the Cascades including Mount Rainier and Mount Baker as you approach Seattle from the northeast.
What can I see during takeoff from John F Kennedy International in New York?
During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK primarily departs westbound on runways 31L/31R or eastbound on 22L/22R. On the common westbound departure, left-side passengers get a clear view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and New York Harbor as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. Right side faces Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New York Harbor, Hudson River.
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. SeaTac primarily lands on runways 16L/16R heading south, or 34L/34R heading north. On the common southbound approach from the north, right-side passengers face west toward Puget Sound, the Olympic Peninsula, and Elliott Bay with downtown Seattle visible. Left side looks east toward the Cascades but the terminal buildings and industrial areas dominate. Notable sights include: Puget Sound, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle, Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier (distant, to the southeast).
How long is the flight from New York to Seattle?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the New York to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest across Pennsylvania and the Great Lakes region, then over the northern Great Plains of Minnesota and the Dakotas. Over Montana and Idaho, the northern Rocky Mountains become visible with dramatic ridgelines and river valleys. Crossing into Washington state, the Cascade Range appears with volcanic peaks including Mount Rainier and Mount Baker visible on clear days. The Columbia River Plateau's stark high-desert terrain is visible before the Cascades.