The left side wins on the strength of the Cascade volcano views during departure and a wide-open look at Greenland's icecap and coastal mountains during cruise, both genuinely dramatic terrain; the right side spends most of its time over featureless Canadian prairie and open ocean, only pulling ahead briefly during the Frankfurt approach.
Flown PDX to FRA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Portland to Frankfurt is 5,212 miles (8,387 km), a flight of about 9 hours 50 minutes.
Hudson Bay coastline and the Ungava Peninsula of northern Quebec, with the southern Greenland icecap and its fjorded coastline appearing later along the track before the route curves toward the British Isles.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PDX
LEFTThe great-circle track out of PDX bends north-northeast almost immediately, so after the turn off the runway the Cascade volcanoes north of the city dominate the left-side view. Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier both sit close to this initial climb path, while Mount Hood only flashes by briefly on the opposite side right after liftoff.
Landing at FRA
RIGHTArriving from the northwest across the North Sea and Netherlands, flights are frequently sequenced onto runway 18 or looped south for the '25' runways, and either pattern swings the aircraft past Frankfurt's skyline and the Taunus hills on the right side during the final turn. This gives a compact but distinctive urban view that the opposite side, facing mostly flat Rhine-Main farmland, doesn't offer.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Portland International (PDX) to Frankfurt Main (FRA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Frankfurt. The left side wins on the strength of the Cascade volcano views during departure and a wide-open look at Greenland's icecap and coastal mountains during cruise, both genuinely dramatic terrain; the right side spends most of its time over featureless Canadian prairie and open ocean, only pulling ahead briefly during the Frankfurt approach.
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. The great-circle track out of PDX bends north-northeast almost immediately, so after the turn off the runway the Cascade volcanoes north of the city dominate the left-side view. Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier both sit close to this initial climb path, while Mount Hood only flashes by briefly on the opposite side right after liftoff. Notable sights include: Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Columbia River lowlands, brief glimpse of Mount Hood behind on climbout.
What can I see when landing at Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
When landing at Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arriving from the northwest across the North Sea and Netherlands, flights are frequently sequenced onto runway 18 or looped south for the '25' runways, and either pattern swings the aircraft past Frankfurt's skyline and the Taunus hills on the right side during the final turn. This gives a compact but distinctive urban view that the opposite side, facing mostly flat Rhine-Main farmland, doesn't offer. Notable sights include: Frankfurt skyline (Commerzbank Tower, Messeturm), Main River, Taunus hills, Rhine-Main plain.
How long is the flight from Portland to Frankfurt?
The flight from Portland International (PDX) to Frankfurt Main (FRA) takes about 9 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,212 miles (8,387 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Portland to Frankfurt flight path pass over?
Hudson Bay coastline and the Ungava Peninsula of northern Quebec, with the southern Greenland icecap and its fjorded coastline appearing later along the track before the route curves toward the British Isles.