Seattle to Anchorage is 1,442 miles (2,321 km), a flight of about 3 hours 15 minutes.
The right side captures the spectacular Cascade departure with Rainier, then during cruise tracks along the right side's view of the Gulf of Alaska coastline, the St. Elias Range, and the Wrangell Mountains as the route curves northwest over British Columbia and the Alaska panhandle. The left side wins at landing but the right side dominates the majority of the flight.
Flight Path
The route passes over the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, the heavily glaciated St. Elias Range including some of the largest non-polar glaciers on Earth such as the Malaspina Glacier visible near Yakutat, the Wrangell Mountains with Mount Wrangell and Mount Blackburn visible to the right, and the broad Copper River basin before descending toward Anchorage over the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
RIGHTSEA typically departs north on runways 16R/16L (heading ~340°), so the right side faces east toward the Cascade Range. You get a clear view of Mount Rainier dominating the southeast and the Seattle skyline and Lake Washington as you climb out.
Landing at EDF
LEFTElmendorf AFB approaches typically come in from the south or east over Cook Inlet, and the left side faces west and southwest toward Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range. You get the dramatic view of Denali and the Alaska Range on the horizon plus the broad mudflats of Turnagain Arm below.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Elmendorf Afb (EDF)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Anchorage. The right side captures the spectacular Cascade departure with Rainier, then during cruise tracks along the right side's view of the Gulf of Alaska coastline, the St. Elias Range, and the Wrangell Mountains as the route curves northwest over British Columbia and the Alaska panhandle. The left side wins at landing but the right side dominates the majority of the flight.
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. SEA typically departs north on runways 16R/16L (heading ~340°), so the right side faces east toward the Cascade Range. You get a clear view of Mount Rainier dominating the southeast and the Seattle skyline and Lake Washington as you climb out. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, Seattle downtown skyline, Cascade Range foothills.
What can I see when landing at Elmendorf Afb in Anchorage?
When landing at Elmendorf Afb (EDF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Elmendorf AFB approaches typically come in from the south or east over Cook Inlet, and the left side faces west and southwest toward Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range. You get the dramatic view of Denali and the Alaska Range on the horizon plus the broad mudflats of Turnagain Arm below. Notable sights include: Cook Inlet, Turnagain Arm mudflats, Alaska Range with Denali on the horizon, Chugach Mountains.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Anchorage?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Elmendorf Afb (EDF) takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,442 miles (2,321 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Anchorage flight path pass over?
The route passes over the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, the heavily glaciated St. Elias Range including some of the largest non-polar glaciers on Earth such as the Malaspina Glacier visible near Yakutat, the Wrangell Mountains with Mount Wrangell and Mount Blackburn visible to the right, and the broad Copper River basin before descending toward Anchorage over the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet