Left side wins at both ends of the flight. The Mount Rainier view on departure is one of the most spectacular in domestic aviation, and the Charleston Harbor approach on arrival is genuinely scenic. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either airport.
Flown SEA to CHS? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to Charleston is 2,411 miles (3,879 km), a flight of about 5 hours 15 minutes.
The flight tracks southeast across the Cascades, then over the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho, across the Rockies over Wyoming or Colorado depending on routing, then descends over the Great Plains of Kansas and Missouri, crosses the Mississippi River valley, and traverses the Appalachian Mountains over Tennessee and North Carolina before dropping into the South Carolina coastal plain. The Appalachians are the most visually notable midpoint feature, visible as parallel folded ridges from cruising altitude.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
LEFTSEA typically departs south on runways 16L/16R, then turns east. The left side gets the iconic view of Mount Rainier dominating the southeast horizon, plus the full sweep of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline to the north. Right side faces west toward the Olympic Peninsula which is less dramatic on departure.
Landing at CHS
LEFTCHS typically lands on runway 03, approaching from the south-southwest over the South Carolina lowcountry. The left side looks east toward Charleston Harbor, the historic Charleston peninsula, and the Atlantic coastline. The right side faces inland toward flat pine forests with little of interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Charleston Afb International (CHS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Charleston. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. The Mount Rainier view on departure is one of the most spectacular in domestic aviation, and the Charleston Harbor approach on arrival is genuinely scenic. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either airport.
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 typically departs south on runways 16L/16R, then turns east. The left side gets the iconic view of Mount Rainier dominating the southeast horizon, plus the full sweep of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline to the north. Right side faces west toward the Olympic Peninsula which is less dramatic on departure. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (southeast), Puget Sound and Elliott Bay, Seattle downtown skyline, Lake Washington.
What can I see when landing at Charleston Afb International in Charleston?
When landing at Charleston Afb International (CHS), sit on the Left side for the best views. CHS typically lands on runway 03, approaching from the south-southwest over the South Carolina lowcountry. The left side looks east toward Charleston Harbor, the historic Charleston peninsula, and the Atlantic coastline. The right side faces inland toward flat pine forests with little of interest. Notable sights include: Charleston Harbor, Charleston historic peninsula, Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (cable-stayed), Atlantic Ocean coastline.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Charleston?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Charleston Afb International (CHS) takes about 5 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,411 miles (3,879 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Charleston flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast across the Cascades, then over the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho, across the Rockies over Wyoming or Colorado depending on routing, then descends over the Great Plains of Kansas and Missouri, crosses the Mississippi River valley, and traverses the Appalachian Mountains over Tennessee and North Carolina before dropping into the South Carolina coastal plain. The Appalachians are the most visually notable midpoint feature, visible as parallel folded ridges from cruising altitude.