SEA

Best window seat at Seattle Tacoma International

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Taking offLEFT

Mount Rainier, Lake Washington

LandingLEFT

Puget Sound, Elliott Bay

🛫 Taking Off from Seattle (SEA)

Best sideLeft
WhyOn a southbound departure off runway 16, the left side gives you a great view of Lake Washington right after liftoff, then Mount Rainier dominates the horizon to the southeast as you climb out. The right side mostly shows Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, which are nice but less dramatic than Rainier's close-up profile.
Look forMount Rainier, Lake Washington, Cascade foothills, Renton/South Seattle urban area
Left window seat view during takeoff from Seattle (SEA) — Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, Cascade foothills, Renton/South Seattle urban areaLeft Side
Right window seat view during takeoff from Seattle (SEA) — Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, Cascade foothills, Renton/South Seattle urban areaRight Side

🛬 Landing at Seattle (SEA)

Best sideLeft
WhyMost SEA arrivals come in from the south and land heading north, so on the final descent the left side faces west over Puget Sound. You get a great look at Elliott Bay, the downtown Seattle skyline, and the Olympic Mountains rising beyond the water before touchdown.
Look forPuget Sound, Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains (distant horizon)
Left window seat view during landing at Seattle (SEA) — Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains (distant horizon)Left Side
Right window seat view during landing at Seattle (SEA) — Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains (distant horizon)Right Side
SeattlePhoto: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

SEA is a major West Coast hub with two terminals handling domestic and international traffic. The airport is located about 3 miles south of downtown Seattle and serves as a primary connection point for Alaska Airlines operations.

⛰️ Elevation430 ft
🛫 Runways3 (16L/34R, 16C/34C, 16R/34L)
✈️ HubAlaska Airlines
📍 NearbyBFI 6 miTIW 17 miPAE 32 miOLM 43 miFRD 81 mi

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?

At Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, Cascade foothills, Renton/South Seattle urban area.

What can I see during takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?

When taking off from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. On a southbound departure off runway 16, the left side gives you a great view of Lake Washington right after liftoff, then Mount Rainier dominates the horizon to the southeast as you climb out. The right side mostly shows Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, which are nice but less dramatic than Rainier's close-up profile. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, Cascade foothills, Renton/South Seattle urban area.

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. Most SEA arrivals come in from the south and land heading north, so on the final descent the left side faces west over Puget Sound. You get a great look at Elliott Bay, the downtown Seattle skyline, and the Olympic Mountains rising beyond the water before touchdown. Notable sights include: Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains (distant horizon).

What factors affect the best window seat at Seattle Tacoma International?

The best window seat at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Seattle (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.