The right side wins because it captures Mount Rainier's dramatic profile during departure and the Detroit skyline plus Lake Erie during arrival, bookending an otherwise flat cruise over the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
Flown SEA to DTW? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to Detroit is 1,922 miles (3,093 km), a flight of about 4 hours 10 minutes.
After crossing the Cascade Range, the flight passes over the Rocky Mountain Front and forested ridges of western Montana, then flattens out over the wheat fields of the Great Plains in Montana and North Dakota. Farther east it crosses the lake-dotted landscape of Minnesota and Wisconsin before descending toward the Great Lakes basin near Lake Michigan and Lake Huron on the approach into southern Michigan.
Great circle distance and headings ›
.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
RIGHTAs the aircraft climbs out of SEA and banks onto its eastbound heading, the right side faces south toward Mount Rainier's snow-capped cone rising above the Puget Sound lowlands and Tacoma. The left side mostly shows Everett and the flatter Sound shoreline, which is far less dramatic.
Landing at DTW
RIGHTOn the descent into DTW, the approach path swings the aircraft close enough to the east that passengers on the right can spot downtown Detroit's skyline, the Detroit River, and the western edge of Lake Erie before the final turn onto the runway. The left side shows only the flat farmland and grid-pattern suburbs of southern Michigan.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Detroit. The right side wins because it captures Mount Rainier's dramatic profile during departure and the Detroit skyline plus Lake Erie during arrival, bookending an otherwise flat cruise over the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
What can I see during takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?
During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Right side for the best views. As the aircraft climbs out of SEA and banks onto its eastbound heading, the right side faces south toward Mount Rainier's snow-capped cone rising above the Puget Sound lowlands and Tacoma. The left side mostly shows Everett and the flatter Sound shoreline, which is far less dramatic. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, Tacoma waterfront, Cascade Range foothills.
What can I see when landing at Detroit Metro Wayne Co in Detroit?
When landing at Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into DTW, the approach path swings the aircraft close enough to the east that passengers on the right can spot downtown Detroit's skyline, the Detroit River, and the western edge of Lake Erie before the final turn onto the runway. The left side shows only the flat farmland and grid-pattern suburbs of southern Michigan. Notable sights include: Detroit downtown skyline, Detroit River, Lake Erie (western basin), Windsor, Ontario across the river.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Detroit?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) takes about 4 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,922 miles (3,093 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Detroit flight path pass over?
After crossing the Cascade Range, the flight passes over the Rocky Mountain Front and forested ridges of western Montana, then flattens out over the wheat fields of the Great Plains in Montana and North Dakota. Farther east it crosses the lake-dotted landscape of Minnesota and Wisconsin before descending toward the Great Lakes basin near Lake Michigan and Lake Huron on the approach into southern Michigan.