The right side strings together three distinct scenic phases: the Manhattan skyline on departure, the northern Rockies and Glacier National Park region during cruise, and Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier on arrival. The left side spends most of the flight over the comparatively featureless Great Plains and Midwest farmland.
Flight Path
Great Lakes shoreline (Lake Erie and Lake Michigan), the Great Plains of North Dakota, the Rocky Mountain Front near Glacier National Park in Montana, and the Cascade Range before descent into Washington
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
RIGHTWestbound departures off JFK typically climb out over Queens and Long Island Sound before banking to head west, putting Manhattan's skyline and the Hudson River corridor on the right side of the aircraft. The left side mostly shows flat Long Island suburbs and open water with little else to see.
Landing at SEA
RIGHTOn approach into Sea-Tac, the final turn toward the runway typically brings Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains into view on the right side, with the snow-capped cone of Mount Rainier visible to the south during the turn. The left side mostly faces inland toward Lake Washington's suburbs, which are less distinctive.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
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 Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Seattle. The right side strings together three distinct scenic phases: the Manhattan skyline on departure, the northern Rockies and Glacier National Park region during cruise, and Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier on arrival. The left side spends most of the flight over the comparatively featureless Great Plains and Midwest farmland.
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 Right side for the best views. Westbound departures off JFK typically climb out over Queens and Long Island Sound before banking to head west, putting Manhattan's skyline and the Hudson River corridor on the right side of the aircraft. The left side mostly shows flat Long Island suburbs and open water with little else to see. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, East River, Hudson River, Long Island Sound.
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. On approach into Sea-Tac, the final turn toward the runway typically brings Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains into view on the right side, with the snow-capped cone of Mount Rainier visible to the south during the turn. The left side mostly faces inland toward Lake Washington's suburbs, which are less distinctive. Notable sights include: Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, Seattle skyline.
How long is the flight from New York to Seattle?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes 6h 15m.
What does the New York to Seattle flight path pass over?
Great Lakes shoreline (Lake Erie and Lake Michigan), the Great Plains of North Dakota, the Rocky Mountain Front near Glacier National Park in Montana, and the Cascade Range before descent into Washington