The right side wins overall because it captures the dramatic mid-flight scenery unique to this route: Welsh hills on departure, then several hours of southern Greenland's ice sheet, coastal fjords, and Baffin Island's glaciers during the North Atlantic crossing. The left side only shines briefly during the Mount Rainier approach, while the rest of its view is open ocean and flat Canadian plains.
Flown LHR to SEA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to Seattle is 4,786 miles (7,702 km), a flight of about 9 hours 35 minutes.
Southern Greenland's ice sheet and coastal fjords, the Davis Strait with drifting icebergs, Baffin Island's glaciated terrain, and the tundra plains around Hudson Bay before the route crosses into the Canadian prairies.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpeg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
RIGHTWesterly departures from LHR climb out to the west before curving north to join the North Atlantic track system, putting the Thames Valley and the rolling hills of Wales on the right side of the aircraft. It's a gentle, pastoral view rather than dramatic, but it's the more interesting side during climb-out.
Landing at SEA
LEFTOn the southbound final approach into Sea-Tac, the left side of the aircraft faces east toward the Cascade foothills, giving a strong view of Mount Rainier's snow-capped summit rising above the tree line as the plane descends. This is the single most striking landmark on the whole route.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Seattle. The right side wins overall because it captures the dramatic mid-flight scenery unique to this route: Welsh hills on departure, then several hours of southern Greenland's ice sheet, coastal fjords, and Baffin Island's glaciers during the North Atlantic crossing. The left side only shines briefly during the Mount Rainier approach, while the rest of its view is open ocean and flat Canadian plains.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Westerly departures from LHR climb out to the west before curving north to join the North Atlantic track system, putting the Thames Valley and the rolling hills of Wales on the right side of the aircraft. It's a gentle, pastoral view rather than dramatic, but it's the more interesting side during climb-out. Notable sights include: Thames Valley farmland, Cotswold Hills, Severn Estuary/Bristol Channel, distant Welsh hills.
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 the southbound final approach into Sea-Tac, the left side of the aircraft faces east toward the Cascade foothills, giving a strong view of Mount Rainier's snow-capped summit rising above the tree line as the plane descends. This is the single most striking landmark on the whole route. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range foothills, Lake Washington, Snoqualmie Valley.
How long is the flight from London to Seattle?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes about 9 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,786 miles (7,702 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to Seattle flight path pass over?
Southern Greenland's ice sheet and coastal fjords, the Davis Strait with drifting icebergs, Baffin Island's glaciated terrain, and the tundra plains around Hudson Bay before the route crosses into the Canadian prairies.