Left side wins both the departure and arrival phases. At takeoff you get Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline; at landing you get the Gulf of Izmir and the city waterfront. The left side is the clear choice for the most visually rewarding moments of this flight.
Flight Path
The great circle route tracks northeast over British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies, then across Hudson Bay and Greenland's ice sheet, over Iceland and the North Atlantic, across Scandinavia or the British Isles, central Europe including the Alps, then southeast over the Balkans and Aegean toward Izmir. Key features include the Canadian Rockies, Greenland icecap, Iceland's volcanic terrain, and the Alps.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
LEFTSEA primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southbound departures, meaning a left-bank turn northward puts the left side facing east toward the Cascades. On a polar/northern route departure, aircraft typically climb out heading north then northeast, giving left-side passengers a clear view of Mount Rainier to the southeast and the Seattle skyline across Elliott Bay.
Landing at ADB
LEFTADB sits on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Izmir (Izmir Körfezi). Runway 34 is the primary landing direction, meaning aircraft approach from the south over the Aegean coast. Left-side passengers get the Gulf of Izmir and the city of Izmir spread along its eastern shore, while right-side faces inland hills.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Adnan Menderes (ADB)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Izmir. Left side wins both the departure and arrival phases. At takeoff you get Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline; at landing you get the Gulf of Izmir and the city waterfront. The left side is the clear choice for the most visually rewarding moments of this flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?
During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. SEA primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southbound departures, meaning a left-bank turn northward puts the left side facing east toward the Cascades. On a polar/northern route departure, aircraft typically climb out heading north then northeast, giving left-side passengers a clear view of Mount Rainier to the southeast and the Seattle skyline across Elliott Bay. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft, dominant to the southeast), Seattle city skyline and Elliott Bay, Lake Washington stretching north-south below, Mount Baker on the northern horizon.
What can I see when landing at Adnan Menderes in Izmir?
When landing at Adnan Menderes (ADB), sit on the Left side for the best views. ADB sits on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Izmir (Izmir Körfezi). Runway 34 is the primary landing direction, meaning aircraft approach from the south over the Aegean coast. Left-side passengers get the Gulf of Izmir and the city of Izmir spread along its eastern shore, while right-side faces inland hills. Notable sights include: Gulf of Izmir (Izmir Körfezi) stretching northwest, Izmir city waterfront and Kordon promenade, Kadifekale hill with its Ottoman-era fortress above the city, the Aegean coastline and Çeşme Peninsula to the west.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Izmir?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Adnan Menderes (ADB) takes Approximately 13-14 hours (nonstop service is not common; typical one-stop routing via European hubs runs 15-17 hours total travel time).
What does the Seattle to Izmir flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northeast over British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies, then across Hudson Bay and Greenland's ice sheet, over Iceland and the North Atlantic, across Scandinavia or the British Isles, central Europe including the Alps, then southeast over the Balkans and Aegean toward Izmir. Key features include the Canadian Rockies, Greenland icecap, Iceland's volcanic terrain, and the Alps.