About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Nashville International (BNA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Nashville. The left side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight — Mount Rainier and the Cascades on departure are genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. The right side wins at landing but Nashville's terrain is relatively flat and the skyline view, while nice, is modest compared to the volcanic scenery leaving Seattle.
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. SeaTac's primary departure runways (16L/16R) head southbound, putting the left side facing east toward the Cascades. You get a clear view of Mount Rainier dominating the eastern skyline as the aircraft climbs and banks southeast. The right side faces west over Puget Sound but loses the mountain drama quickly. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft, unmistakable snow cone to the southeast), Lake Washington (large urban lake east of Seattle), the Seattle skyline receding to the north, Cascade Range ridgeline stretching north-south.
What can I see when landing at Nashville International in Nashville?
When landing at Nashville International (BNA), sit on the Right side for the best views. BNA's primary arrival runways (02L/02R) bring aircraft in from the south heading northbound, placing the right side facing east toward downtown Nashville and the Cumberland River. The left side looks west over largely flat suburban terrain with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Nashville skyline and Broadway district, Cumberland River bending through the city, Percy Priest Lake to the southeast, rolling Tennessee hills and cedar glades.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Nashville?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Nashville International (BNA) takes Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Seattle to Nashville flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast over the Columbia Plateau in eastern Washington, then crosses the northern Rockies and Idaho panhandle terrain. Over Montana and Wyoming you pass over the high plains and the eastern slope of the Rockies. The flight then crosses the Great Plains of Nebraska and Kansas before descending over the Ozark Plateau of Missouri and Arkansas, with the Tennessee River valley visible on approach to Nashville.