The right side wins overall because the long cruise phase reveals Greenland's icecap and fjords, Baffin Island's rugged coastline, and the Canadian Rockies, a far richer and more varied set of landmarks than the boreal forest and prairie visible on the left for most of the flight.
Flight Path
Southern Greenland's icecap and coastal fjords near Cape Farewell, the Davis Strait, Baffin Island's rocky coastline, the southern shore of Hudson Bay, and the Canadian Rockies near Jasper before descending toward the Cascades.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from KEF
RIGHTDeparting KEF the aircraft typically climbs out on runway 19 then banks right onto the westbound track, putting Iceland's black lava fields, Faxaflói Bay, and the Reykjavík skyline under Mount Esja on the right side before the coast disappears into open ocean.
Landing at SEA
LEFTOn approach into SEA from the north, the aircraft descends down the Puget Sound corridor toward runway 16, and Mount Rainier's snow-capped cone stands out to the southeast on the left side, with Lake Washington and the Bellevue skyline visible closer in.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Keflavik Nas (KEF) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Keflavik to Seattle. The right side wins overall because the long cruise phase reveals Greenland's icecap and fjords, Baffin Island's rugged coastline, and the Canadian Rockies, a far richer and more varied set of landmarks than the boreal forest and prairie visible on the left for most of the flight.
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. Departing KEF the aircraft typically climbs out on runway 19 then banks right onto the westbound track, putting Iceland's black lava fields, Faxaflói Bay, and the Reykjavík skyline under Mount Esja on the right side before the coast disappears into open ocean. Notable sights include: Reykjanes Peninsula lava fields, Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavík skyline, Mount Esja.
What can I see when landing at Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?
When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into SEA from the north, the aircraft descends down the Puget Sound corridor toward runway 16, and Mount Rainier's snow-capped cone stands out to the southeast on the left side, with Lake Washington and the Bellevue skyline visible closer in. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, Bellevue skyline, Cascade foothills.
How long is the flight from Keflavik to Seattle?
The flight from Keflavik Nas (KEF) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes 7h 30m.
What does the Keflavik to Seattle flight path pass over?
Southern Greenland's icecap and coastal fjords near Cape Farewell, the Davis Strait, Baffin Island's rocky coastline, the southern shore of Hudson Bay, and the Canadian Rockies near Jasper before descending toward the Cascades.