Los Angeles to Seattle is 960 miles (1,545 km), a flight of about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Right side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise north, the right side also tracks closer to the Cascade Range, offering views of Mount Shasta, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Rainier as distant snow-capped peaks on the eastern horizon, making it the clear choice for the full journey.
Flight Path
The flight tracks up the California and Oregon coasts or slightly inland. Notable features include the Sacramento Valley visible to the right, Mount Shasta (14,179 ft) as a prominent isolated volcanic cone in northern California, the Klamath Mountains, the Oregon Cascades including Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters, and Mount Rainier becoming visible on the right side roughly 100 miles before landing in Seattle.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTLAX typically departs westbound over the ocean on runways 24L/24R, then turns north. The right side gives you the Santa Monica Bay coastline, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and a clear look back at the LA Basin as you climb out. Left side faces open Pacific with little to see.
Landing at BFI
RIGHTBFI sits on the east shore of Elliott Bay, and aircraft typically approach from the south on runway 13R/13L heading northwest. The right side gives you Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle's skyline, and the Olympic Mountains across the water. Left side looks inland toward Renton and suburban south King County.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Seattle. Right side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise north, the right side also tracks closer to the Cascade Range, offering views of Mount Shasta, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Rainier as distant snow-capped peaks on the eastern horizon, making it the clear choice for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX typically departs westbound over the ocean on runways 24L/24R, then turns north. The right side gives you the Santa Monica Bay coastline, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and a clear look back at the LA Basin as you climb out. Left side faces open Pacific with little to see. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Santa Monica Mountains, LA Basin urban grid.
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 Right side for the best views. BFI sits on the east shore of Elliott Bay, and aircraft typically approach from the south on runway 13R/13L heading northwest. The right side gives you Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle's skyline, and the Olympic Mountains across the water. Left side looks inland toward Renton and suburban south King County. Notable sights include: Elliott Bay, Downtown Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains, Lake Washington.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Seattle?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 960 miles (1,545 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Los Angeles to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks up the California and Oregon coasts or slightly inland. Notable features include the Sacramento Valley visible to the right, Mount Shasta (14,179 ft) as a prominent isolated volcanic cone in northern California, the Klamath Mountains, the Oregon Cascades including Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters, and Mount Rainier becoming visible on the right side roughly 100 miles before landing in Seattle.