Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Puget Sound, Seattle, and the Olympics; on arrival you get the full Eyjafjörður fjord approach. Over the open North Atlantic mid-flight there is little to differentiate sides, but the bookend views strongly favor the left.
Flown SEA to AEY? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to Akureyri is 3,658 miles (5,887 km), a flight of about 7 hours 25 minutes.
The great circle route from SEA to AEY tracks northwest over British Columbia, then across the Gulf of Alaska or southern Alaska panhandle, over the North Pacific, across southern Greenland's ice sheet (visible as a vast white plateau), then the Denmark Strait between Greenland and Iceland before descending into northern Iceland. The Greenland ice cap crossing is the most visually dramatic mid-flight feature, appearing as an unbroken white expanse at altitude.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
LEFTSEA primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southbound departures or 34L/34R for northbound. On a northbound departure toward Iceland, aircraft typically climb out heading north then turn northwest, putting the left side facing west toward Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The right side faces east toward the Cascades, but the left gives you the broader panorama of Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle, and the Olympics beyond.
Landing at AEY
LEFTAkureyri Airport runway 01/19 means arrivals typically come in from the south heading north, descending into the fjord of Eyjafjörður. The left side faces west over the fjord itself and the dramatic snow-dusted mountains flanking it, while the right side looks east toward the interior highlands. The left window gives you the full fjord approach with water and mountain walls simultaneously.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Akureyri (AEY)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Akureyri. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Puget Sound, Seattle, and the Olympics; on arrival you get the full Eyjafjörður fjord approach. Over the open North Atlantic mid-flight there is little to differentiate sides, but the bookend views strongly favor the left.
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 or 34L/34R for northbound. On a northbound departure toward Iceland, aircraft typically climb out heading north then turn northwest, putting the left side facing west toward Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The right side faces east toward the Cascades, but the left gives you the broader panorama of Elliott Bay, downtown Seattle, and the Olympics beyond. Notable sights include: Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains across Puget Sound, Puget Sound waterway, Mount Rainier (visible to the southeast on the left side during the turn northwest).
What can I see when landing at Akureyri in Akureyri?
When landing at Akureyri (AEY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Akureyri Airport runway 01/19 means arrivals typically come in from the south heading north, descending into the fjord of Eyjafjörður. The left side faces west over the fjord itself and the dramatic snow-dusted mountains flanking it, while the right side looks east toward the interior highlands. The left window gives you the full fjord approach with water and mountain walls simultaneously. Notable sights include: Eyjafjörður fjord, Akureyri town on the fjord shore, Súlur mountain to the west, snow-covered Icelandic highland plateau to the east.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Akureyri?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Akureyri (AEY) takes about 7 hours 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,658 miles (5,887 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Akureyri flight path pass over?
The great circle route from SEA to AEY tracks northwest over British Columbia, then across the Gulf of Alaska or southern Alaska panhandle, over the North Pacific, across southern Greenland's ice sheet (visible as a vast white plateau), then the Denmark Strait between Greenland and Iceland before descending into northern Iceland. The Greenland ice cap crossing is the most visually dramatic mid-flight feature, appearing as an unbroken white expanse at altitude.