The left side wins overall because the long cruise segment tracks near the southern tip of Greenland and past Iceland, offering views of glaciers, fjords, and volcanic terrain that far outweigh the shorter, city-and-mountain views available to the right side during takeoff and landing.
Flight Path
The route's midpoint lies near Hudson Bay and Baffin Island, with the flight path continuing on toward the southern edge of Greenland's ice sheet before crossing near Iceland en route to Europe.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
RIGHTDeparting SEA to the north before turning east onto the transatlantic routing, the right side faces the Cascade foothills, Lake Washington, and Mount Rainier's snowy summit, while the left side only shows Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains receding behind.
Landing at FRA
RIGHTOn the typical westerly approach into FRA, aircraft descend from the east and pass just south of the city before landing, putting Frankfurt's skyline, the Main River, and the distant Taunus hills on the right side of the cabin.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Frankfurt Main (FRA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Frankfurt. The left side wins overall because the long cruise segment tracks near the southern tip of Greenland and past Iceland, offering views of glaciers, fjords, and volcanic terrain that far outweigh the shorter, city-and-mountain views available to the right side during takeoff and landing.
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. Departing SEA to the north before turning east onto the transatlantic routing, the right side faces the Cascade foothills, Lake Washington, and Mount Rainier's snowy summit, while the left side only shows Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains receding behind. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, Seattle Eastside suburbs, Cascade Range foothills.
What can I see when landing at Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
When landing at Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the typical westerly approach into FRA, aircraft descend from the east and pass just south of the city before landing, putting Frankfurt's skyline, the Main River, and the distant Taunus hills on the right side of the cabin. Notable sights include: Frankfurt skyline (Commerzbank Tower, Messeturm), Main River, Taunus hills, Rhine-Main suburbs.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Frankfurt?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Frankfurt Main (FRA) takes 8h 50m.
What does the Seattle to Frankfurt flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint lies near Hudson Bay and Baffin Island, with the flight path continuing on toward the southern edge of Greenland's ice sheet before crossing near Iceland en route to Europe.