About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Los Angeles. Right side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise portion heading south along the Pacific Coast corridor, the right side also tracks closer to the California coastline — you can pick out the Oregon and Northern California coast, the Sacramento Valley, and eventually the Central Valley giving way to the Tehachapi Mountains before the LA Basin. Left side has the Cascades and Sierra Nevada but they appear as distant ridgelines for most 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 south on runways 16L/16R, so the right (west) side gives you a clear view of Puget Sound, the Olympic Peninsula, and the water-dominated landscape around the airport. The left side faces east toward the Cascades but the airport's position means the right side captures the more dramatic water and mountain combination early in the climb. Notable sights include: Puget Sound, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains across the water, Vashon Island directly below.
What can I see when landing at Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX primarily lands on runways 24L/24R heading west, meaning the approach comes from the east over the Los Angeles Basin. The right (north) side gives views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the LA urban grid, and the coastline as you descend over the city. The left side faces south toward less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Los Angeles urban grid and freeway network, Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica Bay coastline, LAX approaching over Inglewood.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Los Angeles?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Seattle to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
Oregon Coast Range and Willamette Valley visible below as you cross Oregon, then the Klamath Mountains near the California border, Mount Shasta visible as a prominent isolated volcanic cone on the left (east) side around the midpoint, the Sacramento Valley's flat agricultural patchwork in central California, and the Tehachapi Mountains marking the transition into the Los Angeles Basin