About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Orlando International (MCO) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Orlando to Seattle. The left side misses the Cape Canaveral view on departure but captures the Rockies and Cascades during the cruise and the spectacular Mount Rainier and Seattle approach on arrival. The Mount Rainier view alone on descent is one of the best mountain approaches in the continental US, and the left side also picks up the Sierra Nevada and Cascades during the flight's western arc.
What can I see during takeoff from Orlando International in Orlando?
During takeoff from Orlando International (MCO), sit on the Right side for the best views. MCO's primary departure runway 18L/36R runs north-south. Northbound departures (heading toward SEA) swing left over the airport complex, putting the right side facing east toward the Space Coast and the Atlantic shoreline. You get a clear view of the Brevard County coastline and Cape Canaveral's launch facilities as the aircraft climbs out. Notable sights include: Cape Canaveral launch pads and Vehicle Assembly Building, Kennedy Space Center complex, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Atlantic Ocean coastline.
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. SeaTac primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southerly arrivals, meaning aircraft approach from the north heading south. The left side faces east, giving a direct view of Mount Rainier dominating the Cascade Range, plus the full expanse of Puget Sound and the Seattle city skyline as you descend. This is consistently the more dramatic approach view. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft), Seattle city skyline and Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, Lake Washington.
How long is the flight from Orlando to Seattle?
The flight from Orlando International (MCO) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Orlando to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest across the Gulf Coast states, then over the Mississippi River valley, crosses the southern Rockies over Colorado or Utah depending on routing, passes over the Great Basin desert of Nevada and Idaho, crosses the Snake River Plain, then descends over the Cascade Range into the Puget Sound lowlands. The Sierra Nevada and Cascade volcanoes including Mount Hood and Mount Adams are visible during the Pacific Northwest segment.