Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Hong Kong. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the transpacific crossing the views are largely ocean, but the left side also captures the Aleutian Island chain silhouettes during the northern arc of the great circle route, and the Japanese coastline near Hokkaido if flying that corridor.

During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. SEA primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southbound departures, meaning a left-side seat faces east toward the Cascade Range. You get a clear view of Mount Rainier dominating the skyline, with the Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay visible during the initial climb before the aircraft turns northwest. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Elliott Bay and Seattle skyline, Lake Washington, Cascade Range foothills.

When landing at Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Hong Kong International Airport sits on Lantau Island, and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on runway 07L/07R. A left-side seat faces north, giving you a direct view over Victoria Harbour, the Kowloon Peninsula, and the dense Hong Kong Island skyline as you descend over the Pearl River Delta. Notable sights include: Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island skyline, Kowloon Peninsula, Pearl River Delta.

The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Hong Kong International (HKG) takes Approximately 12 to 13 hours.

The great circle route arcs northwest over British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska, passing near the Aleutian Islands chain, then crosses the North Pacific before descending over the Japanese archipelago near Hokkaido or Honshu, continuing south over the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait before entering Hong Kong airspace from the northeast over the Pearl River Delta.