About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to General Mitchell International (MKE)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Milwaukee. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. At departure you get the Cascades and Mount Rainier; at arrival you get Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee lakefront. During the cruise over Montana, Wyoming, and the upper Midwest, the left side also has a slight edge for views of the Missouri River drainage and the Great Plains terrain.
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 primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southbound departures, meaning aircraft bank left (east) after takeoff. The left side gets a direct view of Lake Washington, the Seattle skyline, and the Cascade Range including Mount Rainier. Right side faces west toward Puget Sound but the turn puts it at a disadvantage for the mountain views. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (southeast), Lake Washington, Seattle downtown skyline, Cascade Range foothills.
What can I see when landing at General Mitchell International in Milwaukee?
When landing at General Mitchell International (MKE), sit on the Left side for the best views. General Mitchell International primarily uses runway 01R/01L for northbound arrivals, meaning the approach comes from the south over the southern suburbs. The left side faces west, giving a clear view of Lake Michigan's shoreline, Milwaukee's downtown lakefront, and the harbor. Right side faces inland toward flat Wisconsin farmland. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan shoreline, Milwaukee downtown lakefront, Milwaukee Harbor, Menomonee River valley.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Milwaukee?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to General Mitchell International (MKE) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Seattle to Milwaukee flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly east-northeast over the Idaho Panhandle, then across the Montana plains and the Missouri River headwaters region, over the Dakotas and Minnesota, crossing the Mississippi River near the Twin Cities before descending into Milwaukee. The terrain transitions from the Rockies' eastern foothills in Montana to the flat glaciated plains of the Dakotas and Minnesota. The Mississippi River crossing near Minneapolis-St. Paul is visible as a broad dark ribbon cutting through the urban grid.