Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to St. Louis. Takeoff views of the Cascades and Mount Hood from the left side outweigh the landing advantage on the right. The volcanic peaks are dramatic and consistently visible on westerly or easterly departures, while the landing view of the Gateway Arch, though iconic, is brief and weather-dependent.

During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX typically departs runways 10L/10R or 28L/28R depending on wind. Westerly departures (runway 28) favor left seats with views of the Cascade Range and Mount Hood. Easterly departures (runway 10) still give left seats the better angle toward the volcanic peaks as you climb southeast. Notable sights include: Mount Hood (11,240 ft, ~50 miles east), Mount St. Helens (8,364 ft, ~80 miles northeast), Willamette River valley floor, Portland metro sprawl.

When landing at Lambert St Louis International (STL), sit on the Right side for the best views. STL uses runways 1/19 or 12/30 depending on wind. Most arrivals from the west use runway 12 or 30, which positions right-side seats to view the Mississippi River confluence and downtown St. Louis skyline as you descend on final approach. Notable sights include: Mississippi River (major confluence point), Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis skyline, Illinois bluffs across the river, Missouri River confluence.

The flight from Portland International (PDX) to Lambert St Louis International (STL) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon, then transitions into the high desert plateau of central Oregon and Idaho. The Snake River plain becomes visible in southern Idaho. As you cross into Wyoming and Nebraska, the Rocky Mountain foothills recede to the north, and the landscape flattens into the Great Plains. The Missouri River becomes visible in western Missouri during descent, marking the approach to the Mississippi valley.