Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Seattle. The right side delivers the better overall experience: a decent eastward view of the Cascades during the short cruise, and then the outstanding Puget Sound and Olympic Peninsula panorama on the descent into SEA. The left side has the Mount Hood advantage at takeoff but loses ground during the approach.

During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX typically departs on runway 28L/28R heading west, then turns north. The left (south) side gets a clear view of Mount Hood rising to the east as you climb out over the Columbia River. The right side faces north toward the West Hills and urban Portland. Notable sights include: Mount Hood to the southeast, Columbia River below, Portland city grid to the south, Vancouver WA across the river.

When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Right side for the best views. SEA primarily lands on runways 16L/16R heading south, meaning the approach comes from the north over Puget Sound. The right (west) side has a sustained view of Puget Sound, the Olympic Peninsula, and Elliott Bay as you descend. The left side faces east toward the Cascades but is partially obscured by the fuselage angle on final. Notable sights include: Puget Sound and Elliott Bay, Olympic Peninsula mountains to the west, Vashon Island below, downtown Seattle skyline to the north.

The flight from Portland International (PDX) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 40-50 minutes.

The flight tracks roughly north along the I-5 corridor. Key features along the route include the Lewis River valley, Mount St. Helens visible to the west of the Cascades (its blown-out crater clearly visible from altitude), the Cowlitz River drainage, and the broad agricultural lowlands of the Chehalis Valley. Mount Rainier becomes prominent on the right side as you approach the Seattle area, rising well above the surrounding Cascade ridgeline.