About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Portland International (PDX) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Amsterdam. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Mount Hood and the Columbia River gorge; at landing you get Amsterdam's canal ring and the IJmeer. Over the Arctic and Greenland portions of the route, left-side seats also face south toward the Greenland ice sheet interior, though both sides see similar scenery at cruise altitude over open ocean.
What can I see during takeoff from Portland International in Portland?
During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX primarily uses runways 28L/28R for westbound departures, meaning a left-side seat faces south toward Mount Hood and the Cascades. You get a clear view of the Columbia River gorge and the volcanic peaks as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. Notable sights include: Mount Hood (11,249 ft), Columbia River and its gorge, Mount St. Helens to the north, Portland city grid along the Willamette River.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol typically uses runways 18C/18R for southbound arrivals or 06 for eastbound approaches. On the common westerly approach to runway 18, a left-side seat faces east over Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJmeer, and the flat Dutch polder landscape. The city center is clearly visible on descent. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring and historic center, IJmeer and IJsselmeer, Rotterdam port infrastructure to the south, Dutch polder grid of fields and waterways.
How long is the flight from Portland to Amsterdam?
The flight from Portland International (PDX) to Schiphol (AMS) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the Portland to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northwest over British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies, then across the southern tip of Greenland where the ice sheet and fjords are visible, followed by a long crossing of the North Atlantic. The route passes south of Iceland before crossing the Norwegian Sea and descending over the North Sea into the Netherlands. Greenland's Kangerlussuaq fjord system and the edge of the Greenland ice cap are the most dramatic midpoint features at cruise altitude.