While takeoff from KEF favors right seats, the landing approach into PDX strongly favors left seats with Mount Hood and the Cascade Range as dominant visual features. Most passengers will spend more time on descent than climb-out, making left the better overall choice.
Flown KEF to PDX? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Keflavik to Portland is 3,727 miles (5,997 km), a flight of about 7 hours 35 minutes.
The flight path crosses the North Atlantic at high latitude, passing north of Greenland and over the Canadian Arctic Archipelago before descending toward the Pacific Northwest. Notable features include the Greenland ice sheet (visible as white terrain if crossing in daylight), the Canadian Rocky Mountains near the British Columbia-Alberta border, and the Pacific coastal ranges approaching Oregon.
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 seats offer views of Iceland's southwestern coast, including the dramatic Reykjanes Peninsula lava fields and the Atlantic coastline. Left seats face inland toward less distinctive terrain.
Landing at PDX
LEFTPDX typically lands runway 28L/28R (westbound) or 10L/10R (eastbound). Westbound approaches (most common) give left seats excellent views of the Cascade Range, Mount Hood, and the Columbia River Gorge. Right seats face the Willamette Valley, which is less visually distinctive.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Keflavik Nas (KEF) to Portland International (PDX)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Keflavik to Portland. While takeoff from KEF favors right seats, the landing approach into PDX strongly favors left seats with Mount Hood and the Cascade Range as dominant visual features. Most passengers will spend more time on descent than climb-out, making left the better overall choice.
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 seats offer views of Iceland's southwestern coast, including the dramatic Reykjanes Peninsula lava fields and the Atlantic coastline. Left seats face inland toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Reykjanes Peninsula (dark basalt lava fields), Atlantic Ocean to the west, Fagradalsfjall volcanic region, Grindavík geothermal area.
What can I see when landing at Portland International in Portland?
When landing at Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX typically lands runway 28L/28R (westbound) or 10L/10R (eastbound). Westbound approaches (most common) give left seats excellent views of the Cascade Range, Mount Hood, and the Columbia River Gorge. Right seats face the Willamette Valley, which is less visually distinctive. Notable sights include: Mount Hood (11,240 ft, snow-capped), Cascade Range, Columbia River Gorge, Willamette Valley.
How long is the flight from Keflavik to Portland?
The flight from Keflavik Nas (KEF) to Portland International (PDX) takes about 7 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,727 miles (5,997 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Keflavik to Portland flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the North Atlantic at high latitude, passing north of Greenland and over the Canadian Arctic Archipelago before descending toward the Pacific Northwest. Notable features include the Greenland ice sheet (visible as white terrain if crossing in daylight), the Canadian Rocky Mountains near the British Columbia-Alberta border, and the Pacific coastal ranges approaching Oregon.