About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Metropolitan Oakland International (OAK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Oakland. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Departing SEA left gives you Rainier and the Cascades; arriving OAK left gives you the full San Francisco Bay panorama with the city and Bay Bridge. The right side offers views of Puget Sound on departure and inland East Bay hills on arrival, which are considerably less dramatic.
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 typically departs south on runways 16L/16R, meaning a left-side seat faces east toward the Cascade Range. You get a clear view of Mount Rainier dominating the horizon and the urban sprawl of Seattle receding to the north. As the aircraft banks south, Elliott Bay and the Seattle skyline briefly appear to the left as well. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (14,411 ft), Elliott Bay and Seattle skyline, Lake Washington, Cascade Range foothills.
What can I see when landing at Metropolitan Oakland International in Oakland?
When landing at Metropolitan Oakland International (OAK), sit on the Left side for the best views. OAK typically lands on runways 28L/28R, approaching from the east over the East Bay hills. A left-side seat faces south, giving views of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline across the water. The approach over the flatlands of the East Bay also reveals the Oakland port and waterfront directly below. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco skyline, Bay Bridge, Oakland-Alameda waterfront and port.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Oakland?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Metropolitan Oakland International (OAK) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Seattle to Oakland flight path pass over?
The flight tracks south along the Pacific Coast corridor. Over Oregon you pass the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Cascades including Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters, visible to the left (east). Crossing into northern California, Mount Shasta (14,179 ft) is a prominent snow-capped cone visible on the left side on clear days. The Sacramento Valley appears as a broad flat agricultural plain before the terrain rises into the Coast Ranges on descent toward the Bay Area.