Left side wins both departure and arrival. Over Kauai you get the Na Pali Coast, and approaching Seattle you get the city skyline, Lake Washington, and distant Mount Rainier. The right side offers ocean on departure and the Olympic Peninsula on arrival — both less visually varied.
Flight Path
The flight tracks northeast over open North Pacific Ocean for the majority of the route with no significant landmasses visible. As the aircraft approaches the Pacific Northwest coast, the rugged coastline of Oregon and Washington becomes visible, followed by the Columbia River mouth, the Coast Ranges, and eventually the Puget Sound lowlands and Cascade Range.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from LIH
LEFTLihue Airport typically departs runway 03 (northbound) or runway 21 (southbound). On a northbound departure toward Seattle, the left (west) side gives you views over Nawiliwili Harbor and the dramatic Na Pali Coast cliffs as the aircraft turns northeast. The right side faces inland toward the Wailua River valley and Mount Waialeale.
Landing at SEA
LEFTSeattle-Tacoma typically lands on runways 16L/16R (southbound approach from the north), meaning the aircraft approaches from the north over Puget Sound. The left (east) side gives views of downtown Seattle, Lake Washington, and the Cascade Range including Mount Rainier. The right side looks west over the Olympic Peninsula and Hood Canal.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lihue (LIH) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Lihue to Seattle. Left side wins both departure and arrival. Over Kauai you get the Na Pali Coast, and approaching Seattle you get the city skyline, Lake Washington, and distant Mount Rainier. The right side offers ocean on departure and the Olympic Peninsula on arrival — both less visually varied.
What can I see during takeoff from Lihue in Lihue?
During takeoff from Lihue (LIH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Lihue Airport typically departs runway 03 (northbound) or runway 21 (southbound). On a northbound departure toward Seattle, the left (west) side gives you views over Nawiliwili Harbor and the dramatic Na Pali Coast cliffs as the aircraft turns northeast. The right side faces inland toward the Wailua River valley and Mount Waialeale. Notable sights include: Na Pali Coast sea cliffs, Nawiliwili Harbor, Hanalei Bay to the north, Waimea Canyon visible briefly to the southwest.
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. Seattle-Tacoma typically lands on runways 16L/16R (southbound approach from the north), meaning the aircraft approaches from the north over Puget Sound. The left (east) side gives views of downtown Seattle, Lake Washington, and the Cascade Range including Mount Rainier. The right side looks west over the Olympic Peninsula and Hood Canal. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (southeast, distant), downtown Seattle skyline, Lake Washington, the Cascade Range foothills.
How long is the flight from Lihue to Seattle?
The flight from Lihue (LIH) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the Lihue to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast over open North Pacific Ocean for the majority of the route with no significant landmasses visible. As the aircraft approaches the Pacific Northwest coast, the rugged coastline of Oregon and Washington becomes visible, followed by the Columbia River mouth, the Coast Ranges, and eventually the Puget Sound lowlands and Cascade Range.