Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Kelowna. While the right side wins at takeoff for Cascade views, the left side captures the most memorable part of the journey — the dramatic descent into the Okanagan Valley with Okanagan Lake laid out below. The lake approach on the left at landing is the visual highlight of this short flight.

During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Right side for the best views. SEA typically departs north on runway 16R/34L or uses runways oriented north-south. Departing northbound, the right (east) side gives you a clear view of the Cascade Range including Mount Rainier to the southeast and the closer peaks of the Central Cascades. The left side faces west toward Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, which is scenic but less dramatic for this route. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier (southeast, dominant snow-capped volcano), Lake Washington (east, large urban lake), Bellevue and Eastside suburbs, Cascade foothills rising east of the city.

When landing at Kelowna (YLW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Kelowna Airport typically lands on runway 34 (heading south) or runway 16 (heading north). On approach from the south or southwest, the left (east) side looks directly into the Okanagan Valley with Okanagan Lake stretching prominently below — a long, narrow glacial lake that is the defining visual feature of the region. The right side faces west toward drier benchland terrain with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Okanagan Lake (long narrow glacial lake running north-south through the valley), Kelowna city waterfront and downtown on the lake's east shore, William R. Bennett Bridge crossing the lake, surrounding semi-arid benchland and vineyard terrain.

The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to Kelowna (YLW) takes Approximately 45-55 minutes.

The flight crosses the North Cascades or their southern foothills, passing over the Okanagan Highlands — a rolling plateau of conifer forest and small lakes in southern British Columbia. The transition from dense coastal forest to the drier interior plateau is visible as tree cover thins and the terrain becomes more open and brown. The Similkameen Valley and surrounding ridgelines may be visible before the descent into the Okanagan.