Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta. The right side wins overall because the takeoff view over Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains is genuinely spectacular and unique to the Pacific Northwest. The landing view from the left is excellent for Banderas Bay, but the right side during landing still gets partial bay views. The right side's takeoff advantage is the stronger differentiator for this route.

During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Right side for the best views. SEA primarily uses runways 16L/16R for southbound departures, meaning the aircraft heads south-southeast. The right side faces west toward Puget Sound, Vashon Island, and the Olympic Peninsula across the water. This gives a sweeping view of the sound and the jagged Olympic Mountains on the horizon. Notable sights include: Puget Sound, Vashon Island, Olympic Mountains, Commencement Bay near Tacoma.

When landing at Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVR typically uses runway 04 for arrivals from the north, with the approach coming in over Banderas Bay from the northwest. The left side faces south toward the bay and the Sierra Madre Occidental foothills, giving a direct view of the turquoise waters of Banderas Bay and the city of Puerto Vallarta along the shoreline. Notable sights include: Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta waterfront and Malecon district, Sierra Madre Occidental foothills, Cabo Corrientes headland to the south.

The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.

The flight tracks south-southeast over Oregon's Cascade Range including Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters volcanoes, then crosses into California over the Sacramento Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. It continues over the Baja California Peninsula, crossing the Gulf of California, before reaching the Mexican mainland coast near Nayarit and descending toward Banderas Bay.