About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Palm Springs International (PSP) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Palm Springs to Seattle. Left side wins at both ends of this flight. Departing Palm Springs you get the dramatic San Jacinto escarpment, and arriving into Seattle you capture Mount Rainier and the Cascades. During the cruise over Oregon, the left side also faces east toward the Cascades including Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson, adding value throughout the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Palm Springs International in Palm Springs?
During takeoff from Palm Springs International (PSP), sit on the Left side for the best views. Palm Springs typically departs runway 31 heading northwest, putting the left side facing the San Jacinto Mountains and the Coachella Valley floor. Mount San Jacinto rises dramatically to over 10,800 feet just southwest of the airport, making it one of the most striking immediate post-takeoff views in the US. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft), Puget Sound and Elliott Bay, Seattle city skyline, Lake Washington.
What can I see when landing at Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?
When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. SeaTac primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southerly arrivals, meaning the approach comes from the north over the city. The left side on approach from the north faces east, giving clear views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range. On the more common runway 34 departure direction for northbound flights arriving from the south, left side still captures Rainier and the Cascades during the descent arc. Notable sights include: the city and surrounding area.
How long is the flight from Palm Springs to Seattle?
The flight from Palm Springs International (PSP) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Palm Springs to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over the Mojave Desert, crosses the Sierra Nevada or southern Cascades depending on routing, passes over the Central Valley of California, then follows the Cascade Range corridor through Oregon with Mount Shasta, Mount McLoughlin, Crater Lake (visible on clear days to the right/west of track), Mount Hood, and Mount Adams all potentially visible before descending into the Seattle basin over the Willamette Valley and Washington lowlands.