The left side wins overall because the SeaTac approach on the left delivers one of the most spectacular arrival views in North America — Mount Rainier, the Cascades, and Lake Washington simultaneously. The right side at departure over Shanghai is excellent but shorter-lived. For a 10-hour transoceanic flight, the arrival scenery carries more weight.
Flown PVG to SEA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Shanghai to Seattle is 5,709 miles (9,188 km), a flight of about 10 hours 30 minutes.
The great circle route arcs northeast over the Yellow Sea, crosses the southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula and its volcanic peaks, then tracks across the Aleutian Island chain — a string of volcanic islands visible on clear days — before crossing the Gulf of Alaska and the rugged, glacier-covered Alaska and British Columbia coastline as the aircraft descends toward the Pacific Northwest
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PVG
RIGHTPVG typically departs eastward on runways 16/34 or 17/35, with initial turns northward toward the Pacific. The right side gives you a clear view back over the Huangpu River delta, the dense urban grid of Pudong and central Shanghai, and the sprawling port facilities at Yangshan. Left side faces open East China Sea almost immediately.
Landing at SEA
LEFTSeaTac primarily lands from the north on runways 16L/16R, meaning the aircraft approaches from the north heading south. The left side faces east, giving you a sustained view of the Cascade Range including Mount Rainier, Mount Baker to the north, and the full length of Lake Washington. The right side looks west over Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, which is scenic but less dramatic than Rainier dominating the eastern skyline.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Seattle. The left side wins overall because the SeaTac approach on the left delivers one of the most spectacular arrival views in North America — Mount Rainier, the Cascades, and Lake Washington simultaneously. The right side at departure over Shanghai is excellent but shorter-lived. For a 10-hour transoceanic flight, the arrival scenery carries more weight.
What can I see during takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. PVG typically departs eastward on runways 16/34 or 17/35, with initial turns northward toward the Pacific. The right side gives you a clear view back over the Huangpu River delta, the dense urban grid of Pudong and central Shanghai, and the sprawling port facilities at Yangshan. Left side faces open East China Sea almost immediately. Notable sights include: Huangpu River bends through central Shanghai, Pudong financial district skyline, Yangshan Deep Water Port container terminals, Hangzhou Bay coastline to the south.
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 lands from the north on runways 16L/16R, meaning the aircraft approaches from the north heading south. The left side faces east, giving you a sustained view of the Cascade Range including Mount Rainier, Mount Baker to the north, and the full length of Lake Washington. The right side looks west over Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, which is scenic but less dramatic than Rainier dominating the eastern skyline. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft, unmistakable isolated volcano to the southeast), Mount Baker on the northern horizon, Lake Washington running north-south below, downtown Seattle skyline along the western shore of Lake Washington.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Seattle?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes about 10 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,709 miles (9,188 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Shanghai to Seattle flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs northeast over the Yellow Sea, crosses the southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula and its volcanic peaks, then tracks across the Aleutian Island chain — a string of volcanic islands visible on clear days — before crossing the Gulf of Alaska and the rugged, glacier-covered Alaska and British Columbia coastline as the aircraft descends toward the Pacific Northwest