Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Reno to Seattle. The left side delivers the best views at both ends of the flight — Lake Tahoe and the Sierra on departure, and Mount Rainier on approach into Seattle. During the cruise portion heading north, the left side also keeps the Cascades in view as the route tracks up through Oregon and Washington.

During takeoff from Reno Tahoe International (RNO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Reno typically departs northwest on runway 16R/34L or northeast on 16L/34R. On a northbound departure toward Seattle, a left-side seat gives you views back over the Truckee Meadows valley and the Sierra Nevada rising to the southwest, including the Lake Tahoe basin visible in the distance. The right side faces east toward the Great Basin desert with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: Lake Tahoe basin (southwest, visible as a deep blue rectangle in the Sierra), Sierra Nevada crest, Truckee Meadows urban valley below, Virginia Range to the east.

When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Seattle-Tacoma typically lands from the south on runways 16L/16R, meaning the aircraft approaches from the south-southeast. A left-side seat faces east toward the Cascade Range, with Mount Rainier dominating the view — one of the most dramatic airport approaches in the continental US. The right side faces west over Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, which is also scenic but Rainier is the standout feature. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft, dominant to the east-southeast), Puget Sound, Lake Washington, downtown Seattle skyline.

The flight from Reno Tahoe International (RNO) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.

The route tracks north-northwest over the Oregon Cascades, passing near Crater Lake (visible on clear days to the left/west of track), the Three Sisters volcanic cluster, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Hood. The Columbia River Gorge crossing is visible in the middle portion of the flight. As the route enters Washington state, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens appear to the left, with the broad agricultural Willamette and Columbia valleys visible below.