While the takeoff favors the left side for Mount Rainier, the right side wins overall thanks to a likely view of southern Greenland's dramatic fjords and ice-cap edge during cruise, followed by a scenic coastal approach into Rome along the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Flown SEA to FCO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to Rome is 5,673 miles (9,130 km), a flight of about 10 hours 35 minutes.
Great-circle routing carries the flight over western Canada, the Labrador Sea, southern Greenland's fjords and ice sheet edge, Iceland's southern coast, then across the Norwegian Sea and North Sea before crossing the Alps into northern Italy.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
LEFTSEA's southbound departure gives left-side passengers a clear view of Mount Rainier's snow-capped dome rising above the Cascade foothills, a far more dramatic sight than the flatter Puget Sound side during the initial climb.
Landing at FCO
RIGHTArriving into FCO from the north on a southbound approach, right-side passengers get an open view of the Tyrrhenian Sea coastline and the sandy mouth of the Tiber near Ostia, while the left side mostly faces inland farmland with fewer distinct features.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Fiumicino (FCO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Rome. While the takeoff favors the left side for Mount Rainier, the right side wins overall thanks to a likely view of southern Greenland's dramatic fjords and ice-cap edge during cruise, followed by a scenic coastal approach into Rome along the Tyrrhenian Sea.
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's southbound departure gives left-side passengers a clear view of Mount Rainier's snow-capped dome rising above the Cascade foothills, a far more dramatic sight than the flatter Puget Sound side during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range foothills, Lake Washington, Seattle's eastern suburbs.
What can I see when landing at Fiumicino in Rome?
When landing at Fiumicino (FCO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arriving into FCO from the north on a southbound approach, right-side passengers get an open view of the Tyrrhenian Sea coastline and the sandy mouth of the Tiber near Ostia, while the left side mostly faces inland farmland with fewer distinct features. Notable sights include: Tyrrhenian Sea coastline, Tiber River mouth near Ostia, Fiumicino's beaches, Lazio coastal plain.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Rome?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Fiumicino (FCO) takes about 10 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,673 miles (9,130 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Rome flight path pass over?
Great-circle routing carries the flight over western Canada, the Labrador Sea, southern Greenland's fjords and ice sheet edge, Iceland's southern coast, then across the Norwegian Sea and North Sea before crossing the Alps into northern Italy.