Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Phoenix to Seattle. The right seat misses the best of the Phoenix departure but wins decisively on the Seattle approach with Elliott Bay and the Olympics. En route, the right side also picks up better views of the Cascades as you descend into the Seattle basin, including glimpses of Mount Adams and Mount Rainier on clear days. The Seattle arrival view on the right is simply one of the best in domestic aviation.

During takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PHX typically departs northwest on runway 26 or north on runway 8R/26L. A left (south) seat gives you a clear view of South Mountain Park and the broad Salt River valley as you climb out. The urban grid of Phoenix spreads out dramatically below before giving way to the Sonoran Desert. Notable sights include: South Mountain Park, Salt River bed, Superstition Mountains to the east, Tempe Town Lake.

When landing at Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI), sit on the Right side for the best views. BFI sits just south of downtown Seattle and aircraft typically approach from the south on runway 13R or from the north on runway 31L. A right seat on approach from the south puts Elliott Bay, the Seattle skyline, and the Olympic Mountains directly in view. This is one of the most dramatic urban approach views in the US. Notable sights include: Elliott Bay, Seattle downtown skyline, Olympic Mountains across Puget Sound, Mount Rainier to the southeast.

The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) takes Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.

The flight tracks northwest over central Arizona desert, crossing the Colorado River near Needles or Parker, then over the Mojave and into Nevada airspace. Crossing into Oregon, the high desert gives way to the Cascade Range — Mount Hood is often visible near Portland, and on clear days Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens appear as isolated snow-capped cones before descent into the Seattle basin. The Columbia River Gorge is visible from both sides near the Oregon-Washington border.