About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ketchikan International (KTN) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Ketchikan to Seattle. While the right side wins at takeoff for the Ketchikan waterfront and narrows, the left side delivers the more dramatic sustained views along the flight: the British Columbia coast and Inside Passage channels are visible on the left during the early cruise, and the left side captures Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline on approach. The Cascade Range runs the length of the left side for much of the cruise.
What can I see during takeoff from Ketchikan International in Ketchikan?
During takeoff from Ketchikan International (KTN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Ketchikan's runway 11/29 means departures heading southeast give the right side a view over Revillagigedo Island and the Tongass Narrows. The right side looks out over the town of Ketchikan itself clinging to the hillside, the waterfront, and the channel beyond. Notable sights include: Tongass Narrows, Revillagigedo Island forested ridgelines, Ketchikan waterfront and downtown, Guard Island to the northwest.
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. Approaches to SeaTac typically come in from the north or south on runway 16L/34R or 16R/34L, oriented roughly north-south. On a southbound approach from the north, the left side faces east toward the Cascade Range with Mount Rainier dominant on the horizon, while also capturing Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle in the middle distance. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range foothills, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle skyline, Lake Washington.
How long is the flight from Ketchikan to Seattle?
The flight from Ketchikan International (KTN) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Ketchikan to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks south-southeast over the British Columbia coast and the northern Inside Passage, passing over the coastal ranges of BC with their heavily glaciated peaks and fjords. Prince of Wales Island is visible early in the flight. The route crosses the Queen Charlotte Sound and then over Vancouver Island or the Strait of Georgia depending on routing, with the Olympic Peninsula visible as the flight descends toward Seattle. The Cascade Range is visible to the left throughout the southern half of the flight.