Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Santa Barbara to Seattle. Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the Caribbean and Central America the left side tracks closer to coastlines and the Pacific coast mountain ranges of Mexico. Over the western US, the left side picks up the California coast, Oregon coast ranges, and then Puget Sound on descent into Seattle.

During takeoff from Santa Barbara Del Zulia (STB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing STB, runways typically orient roughly east-west given the flat llanos terrain. Climbing out northwestward toward the Caribbean, the left (south) side gives views over Lake Maracaibo and its distinctive oil platform grid, one of the most visually striking industrial landscapes in South America. The Andes foothills of the Sierra de Perijá are also visible to the southwest. Notable sights include: Lake Maracaibo oil platforms, Sierra de Perijá foothills, Catatumbo River delta wetlands, Maracaibo city sprawl to the north.

When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. SeaTac approaches from the south on runway 16L/16R bring aircraft over Puget Sound on the left side, offering clear views of the Sound's dark blue waters, the Olympic Peninsula across the water, and downtown Seattle's skyline to the northeast. The right side faces inland toward the Cascade foothills, which are less dramatic on final approach. Notable sights include: Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula and Olympic Mountains, downtown Seattle skyline, Vashon Island.

The flight from Santa Barbara Del Zulia (STB) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes Approximately 9 to 10.5 hours depending on routing and winds, likely with a connection through Bogota, Panama City, or Miami as no direct service exists.

Caribbean Sea crossing north of Colombia, Yucatan Peninsula and Gulf of Mexico coastline, Gulf of Mexico crossing, Mexican Sierra Madre Occidental range visible to the west, Baja California Peninsula, Pacific coastline of California including the Channel Islands and San Francisco Bay Area, Oregon Coast Range and Cascade volcanoes including Mount Shasta and Mount Jefferson visible as snow-capped peaks to the east, Columbia River gorge near Portland