About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Miami International (MIA) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Miami to Seattle. The left side wins overall. While the right side has the better MIA departure view, the left side delivers the superior experience for the bulk of the flight: over the Gulf Coast you see the Mississippi Delta and Louisiana wetlands, crossing the Rockies you face the northern Colorado and Wyoming ranges, and the SEA arrival on the left is genuinely spectacular with Puget Sound, Seattle, and the Olympics all in one frame.
What can I see during takeoff from Miami International in Miami?
During takeoff from Miami International (MIA), sit on the Right side for the best views. MIA typically departs northwest on runways 8L/8R or 9, meaning the right side faces north toward downtown Miami, Biscayne Bay, and the Miami Beach barrier islands. You get a clear look at the causeway grid and the turquoise shallows of the bay as you climb out. Notable sights include: Downtown Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach barrier islands, Port of Miami cruise terminals.
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. SEA-TAC typically lands from the south on runways 16L/16R heading north, putting the left side facing west toward Puget Sound, the Olympic Peninsula, and the Seattle skyline. This is one of the most dramatic urban-plus-water-plus-mountain approaches in the US. Notable sights include: Puget Sound, Seattle downtown skyline, Olympic Mountains, Vashon Island.
How long is the flight from Miami to Seattle?
The flight from Miami International (MIA) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the Miami to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over the Gulf of Mexico then crosses the Louisiana coast and Mississippi River delta, continues over Arkansas and Missouri, then crosses the Great Plains of Kansas and Nebraska. Over Wyoming and southern Montana the route passes near the Wind River Range and Bighorn Mountains. Crossing into the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia River Plateau and Cascade Range are visible before descent into Seattle. On a clear day Mount Rainier is unmistakable to the southeast during the SEA approach.