TCM

Best window seat at Mc Chord Afb

Which side of the plane?

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

Taking offLEFT

Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains, Cascade Range (north

LandingRIGHT

Puget Sound, Tacoma waterfront and Port of Tacoma, Olympic Mountains

🛫 Taking Off from Tacoma (TCM)

Best sideLeft
WhyRunway 16 takeoffs head north-northwest from McChord AFB. The left side offers views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the Cascade Range as you climb out. The right side faces the suburban sprawl of the Tacoma-Seattle corridor with fewer dramatic geographic features.
Look forPuget Sound (west/left), Olympic Mountains (northwest), Cascade Range (north, distant), Mount Rainier (northeast, far horizon)

🛬 Landing at Tacoma (TCM)

Best sideRight
WhyLanding on Runway 34 means you're approaching from the north-northeast, putting Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains on your right side. The right window offers the best views of the water, the Tacoma waterfront, and the dramatic mountain backdrop that defines this region.
Look forPuget Sound (immediate right), Tacoma waterfront and Port of Tacoma (right-center), Olympic Mountains (right horizon), Mount Rainier (distant southeast horizon)

McChord Field is a military airfield operated as part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, serving U.S. Air Force and Air Mobility Command operations rather than commercial passenger traffic. It is not accessible for civilian air travel.

⛰️ Elevation325 ft
🛫 Runways2 (16/34, 160/340)
📍 NearbyTIW 10 miOLM 23 miSEA 23 miBFI 28 miPAE 54 mi

Connecting at TCM?

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Mc Chord Afb (TCM)?

At Mc Chord Afb in Tacoma: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Right side. Notable views include: Puget Sound (west/left), Olympic Mountains (northwest), Cascade Range (north, distant), Mount Rainier (northeast, far horizon).

What can I see during takeoff from Mc Chord Afb in Tacoma?

When taking off from Mc Chord Afb (TCM), sit on the Left side for the best views. Runway 16 takeoffs head north-northwest from McChord AFB. The left side offers views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the Cascade Range as you climb out. The right side faces the suburban sprawl of the Tacoma-Seattle corridor with fewer dramatic geographic features. Notable sights include: Puget Sound (west/left), Olympic Mountains (northwest), Cascade Range (north, distant), Mount Rainier (northeast, far horizon).

What can I see when landing at Mc Chord Afb in Tacoma?

When landing at Mc Chord Afb (TCM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Landing on Runway 34 means you're approaching from the north-northeast, putting Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains on your right side. The right window offers the best views of the water, the Tacoma waterfront, and the dramatic mountain backdrop that defines this region. Notable sights include: Puget Sound (immediate right), Tacoma waterfront and Port of Tacoma (right-center), Olympic Mountains (right horizon), Mount Rainier (distant southeast horizon).

What factors affect the best window seat at Mc Chord Afb?

The best window seat at Mc Chord Afb (TCM) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Tacoma (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.