Sydney to Seattle flight path: SYD to SEA

Sit on the left side of the plane

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time13h 35m
Distance7,750
Heading047° → 063°
Best side
Left
★ 2.0 left·★ 1.5 right

The left side captures Sydney's harbour and skyline on departure and Mount Rainier with the Cascades on arrival, giving it the edge over the right side's Botany Bay takeoff and Puget Sound/Olympics landing, though both sides are dominated by roughly thirteen hours of open Pacific Ocean in between.

Flown SYD to SEA? Did we get it right?

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Sydney to Seattle is 7,750 miles (12,472 km), a flight of about 13 hours 35 minutes.

The route crosses the vast central Pacific Ocean with no land visible for many hours, passing well east of New Caledonia and Fiji before curving north past the Hawaiian latitudes and eventually approaching the North American coast near Vancouver Island and British Columbia.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Sydney (left side) — Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, CBD skyline, Northern Beaches coastline

Takeoff from SYD

LEFT

Departing Sydney to the north, the right-turn out over the Tasman brings Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, and the CBD skyline into view on the left side before the aircraft settles onto its oceanic track. The right side only shows Botany Bay and the Cronulla coastline before open water.

Sydney Harbour BridgeSydney Opera HouseCBD skylineNorthern Beaches coastline
SYD Kingsford Smith International AirportHub for Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia
Aerial window seat view during landing at Seattle (left side) — Mount Rainier, Cascade Range foothills, Lake Washington, Interstate 90 floating bridge

Landing at SEA

LEFT

On the typical southbound approach into Seattle, the left side faces east toward the Cascade foothills, Lake Washington, and the snow-capped cone of Mount Rainier rising on the horizon. The right side mainly sees Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, which are scenic but less distinctive than Rainier's silhouette.

Mount RainierCascade Range foothillsLake WashingtonInterstate 90 floating bridge
SEA Seattle Tacoma InternationalHub for Alaska Airlines

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Seattle. The left side captures Sydney's harbour and skyline on departure and Mount Rainier with the Cascades on arrival, giving it the edge over the right side's Botany Bay takeoff and Puget Sound/Olympics landing, though both sides are dominated by roughly thirteen hours of open Pacific Ocean in between.

What can I see during takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney?

During takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Sydney to the north, the right-turn out over the Tasman brings Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, and the CBD skyline into view on the left side before the aircraft settles onto its oceanic track. The right side only shows Botany Bay and the Cronulla coastline before open water. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, CBD skyline, Northern Beaches coastline.

What can I see when landing at Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?

When landing at Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical southbound approach into Seattle, the left side faces east toward the Cascade foothills, Lake Washington, and the snow-capped cone of Mount Rainier rising on the horizon. The right side mainly sees Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, which are scenic but less distinctive than Rainier's silhouette. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range foothills, Lake Washington, Interstate 90 floating bridge.

How long is the flight from Sydney to Seattle?

The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes about 13 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 7,750 miles (12,472 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Sydney to Seattle flight path pass over?

The route crosses the vast central Pacific Ocean with no land visible for many hours, passing well east of New Caledonia and Fiji before curving north past the Hawaiian latitudes and eventually approaching the North American coast near Vancouver Island and British Columbia.