Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Milano. The left side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight — the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier all visible together during climb-out. The landing views at Malpensa are relatively modest on either side, so the takeoff spectacle tips the balance to the left seat overall.

During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. SEA typically departs north on runway 16R/34L or south on 16L/34R. Northbound departures on 34L/34R swing left over Puget Sound and give a clear view of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier to the southeast. Left side captures the city skyline and the Olympic Peninsula across the water. Notable sights include: Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier (southeast, ~60 miles), Puget Sound waterways, Lake Washington.

When landing at Malpensa (MXP), sit on the Right side for the best views. Malpensa typically lands on runways 35L/35R (northbound approach) or 17L/17R (southbound). On the common northbound approach from the south, the right side faces east toward Milan's urban sprawl and the Po Valley, with the Alps visible to the north. The right seat gives the cleaner view of the city and the distinctive flat agricultural Po Plain stretching to the horizon. Notable sights include: Milan urban agglomeration, Po Valley agricultural plain, Lake Maggiore (northwest of airport), Alps foothills to the north.

The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Malpensa (MXP) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.

The route tracks northeast over British Columbia and Alberta, crossing the Canadian Rockies, then arcs over Hudson Bay or the northern Canadian Shield depending on winds, crosses Greenland's ice sheet, passes over Iceland or just south of it, crosses the North Atlantic, enters Europe over Scotland or Ireland, then tracks southeast over England, the English Channel, France, and the Swiss or French Alps before descending into the Po Valley. The Greenland ice sheet and the Icelandic volcanic landscape are the most visually striking midpoint features if daylight permits.