While the left side wins the opening minutes with Mount Rainier, the right side carries the rest of the flight: Cascade volcanoes and the Sierra Nevada high country during cruise, followed by a dramatic mountain-flanked descent into Ontario's Inland Empire valley.
Flown SEA to ONT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to Ontario is 957 miles (1,540 km), a flight of about 2 hours 35 minutes.
The route crosses the Cascade volcanic chain near Mount Hood and Mount Shasta, spans the high desert of eastern Oregon and northern Nevada, skirts the eastern Sierra Nevada, then descends across the Mojave Desert into the San Bernardino Valley.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
LEFTClimbing out of SEA on a southbound track, the left side looks east across Lake Washington and the Cascade foothills straight at Mount Rainier's snow-capped cone, the dominant landmark of the whole departure. The right side only offers Puget Sound and the Olympics, which are nice but less commanding.
Landing at ONT
RIGHTOntario's typical westerly landing pattern brings the aircraft in from the east, so on final approach the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains, including the snow-dusted peak of Mount Baldy, sit off the right side of the cabin. The left side during this turn mostly shows flat Inland Empire suburbs with no comparable terrain.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Ontario International (ONT)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Ontario. While the left side wins the opening minutes with Mount Rainier, the right side carries the rest of the flight: Cascade volcanoes and the Sierra Nevada high country during cruise, followed by a dramatic mountain-flanked descent into Ontario's Inland Empire valley.
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. Climbing out of SEA on a southbound track, the left side looks east across Lake Washington and the Cascade foothills straight at Mount Rainier's snow-capped cone, the dominant landmark of the whole departure. The right side only offers Puget Sound and the Olympics, which are nice but less commanding. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Lake Washington, Cascade Range foothills, Puget Sound lowlands.
What can I see when landing at Ontario International in Ontario?
When landing at Ontario International (ONT), sit on the Right side for the best views. Ontario's typical westerly landing pattern brings the aircraft in from the east, so on final approach the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains, including the snow-dusted peak of Mount Baldy, sit off the right side of the cabin. The left side during this turn mostly shows flat Inland Empire suburbs with no comparable terrain. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Mount San Antonio (Mount Baldy), San Bernardino Mountains, Inland Empire cities (Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga).
How long is the flight from Seattle to Ontario?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Ontario International (ONT) takes about 2 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 957 miles (1,540 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Ontario flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Cascade volcanic chain near Mount Hood and Mount Shasta, spans the high desert of eastern Oregon and northern Nevada, skirts the eastern Sierra Nevada, then descends across the Mojave Desert into the San Bernardino Valley.