Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Kona to Seattle. While the right side wins at takeoff with the Big Island volcanoes, the left side delivers the more sustained payoff: after crossing the Pacific, it captures the Oregon and Washington coastline during descent, the Cascades, Mount Rainier on approach, and the Seattle metro area. The landing sequence on the left is one of the most visually rewarding approaches in the continental US.

During takeoff from Kona International At Keahole (KOA), sit on the Right side for the best views. KOA's runway 17 departure heads south, then aircraft turn northeast toward the mainland. The right side faces east toward the Big Island's volcanic interior, giving views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa rising dramatically above the lava fields. The left side looks out over open ocean with little to see. Notable sights include: Mauna Kea summit (13,796 ft), Mauna Loa's broad shield profile, Hualalai volcano above Kona town, black lava fields of the Kona coast.

When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. SeaTac typically uses runways 16L/16R for southerly approaches, meaning the aircraft arrives from the north tracking south. The left side faces east toward the Cascade Range, with Mount Rainier unmistakably dominant, plus the Seattle skyline and Lake Washington visible during the approach. The right side looks west over Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, which is scenic but less concentrated with landmarks. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft), Seattle downtown skyline, Lake Washington, Cascade Range ridgeline.

The flight from Kona International At Keahole (KOA) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.

The flight tracks northeast over open Pacific Ocean for the majority of the route, passing north of the Hawaiian island chain within the first 30 minutes. Around the midpoint, there is nothing but open ocean. As the flight approaches the Pacific Northwest coast, the Oregon Coast Range and then the Cascades become visible, with Mount Hood often identifiable from altitude before the Washington border. The Columbia River mouth may be visible as a wide gray-brown estuary where it meets the Pacific near Astoria.