While takeoff offers dramatic volcanic scenery on the right, the landing approach provides superior views of iconic Pacific Northwest geography—Mount Rainier, the Cascades, and Puget Sound—which are more visually distinctive and memorable than Iceland's departure landscape.
Flown KEF to BFI? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Keflavik to Seattle is 3,606 miles (5,804 km), a flight of about 6 hours.
The flight path crosses the North Atlantic at high altitude (typically FL350-FL370). Midpoint features include the open Atlantic Ocean with no visible landmarks for roughly 3.5 hours. The route passes south of Greenland and north of the Canadian Maritime provinces. As the aircraft approaches North America, the Canadian Shield becomes visible, followed by the British Columbia coast, the Strait of Georgia, and finally the Cascade Range and Puget Sound basin during descent into Seattle.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from KEF
RIGHTKEF typically departs runway 02 (northbound) or 20 (southbound). Right-side seats offer views of the Reykjanes Peninsula's dramatic coastline and the Atlantic immediately after liftoff, with the volcanic landscape and coastal cliffs visible during the initial climb.
Landing at BFI
LEFTBFI uses runways 13L/31R and 13R/31L. Approaching from the northeast (typical routing from Iceland), left-side seats provide excellent views of the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier, and the Seattle metropolitan area spread across Puget Sound during descent into the Seattle basin.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Keflavik Nas (KEF) to Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Keflavik to Seattle. While takeoff offers dramatic volcanic scenery on the right, the landing approach provides superior views of iconic Pacific Northwest geography—Mount Rainier, the Cascades, and Puget Sound—which are more visually distinctive and memorable than Iceland's departure landscape.
What can I see during takeoff from Keflavik Nas in Keflavik?
During takeoff from Keflavik Nas (KEF), sit on the Right side for the best views. KEF typically departs runway 02 (northbound) or 20 (southbound). Right-side seats offer views of the Reykjanes Peninsula's dramatic coastline and the Atlantic immediately after liftoff, with the volcanic landscape and coastal cliffs visible during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Reykjanes Peninsula volcanic terrain, Atlantic Ocean coastline, Grindavík area settlements, Fagradalsfjall volcanic region.
What can I see when landing at Boeing Fld King Co International in Seattle?
When landing at Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI), sit on the Left side for the best views. BFI uses runways 13L/31R and 13R/31L. Approaching from the northeast (typical routing from Iceland), left-side seats provide excellent views of the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier, and the Seattle metropolitan area spread across Puget Sound during descent into the Seattle basin. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft), Cascade Range, Puget Sound, Seattle skyline and downtown core.
How long is the flight from Keflavik to Seattle?
The flight from Keflavik Nas (KEF) to Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) takes about 6 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 3,606 miles (5,804 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Keflavik to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the North Atlantic at high altitude (typically FL350-FL370). Midpoint features include the open Atlantic Ocean with no visible landmarks for roughly 3.5 hours. The route passes south of Greenland and north of the Canadian Maritime provinces. As the aircraft approaches North America, the Canadian Shield becomes visible, followed by the British Columbia coast, the Strait of Georgia, and finally the Cascade Range and Puget Sound basin during descent into Seattle.