While takeoff offers Lake Ontario views on the right, the landing approach provides more dramatic and sustained scenery. Mount Rainier and Puget Sound are visually striking and visible for longer during descent. Left-side seats capture the most impressive portion of the flight.
Flown YTZ to SEA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Toronto to Seattle is 2,067 miles (3,326 km), a flight of about 5 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Great Lakes region, then transitions over Michigan and Wisconsin. Notable midpoint features include Lake Michigan (visible from altitude), the Michigan shoreline, and the transition into the Great Plains before reaching the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Montana. The Cascade Range becomes visible approximately 1 hour before landing as a north-south mountain chain on the eastern horizon.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from YTZ
RIGHTRight-side seats offer views of Lake Ontario immediately after departure, with the Toronto waterfront and downtown skyline visible during climb-out. The aircraft typically departs westbound, so the right side faces south toward the lake.
Landing at SEA
LEFTLeft-side seats provide excellent views during approach to Seattle-Tacoma. The aircraft descends from the east over the Cascade Range foothills, and left-side passengers see Mount Rainier prominently, followed by Puget Sound and the Seattle waterfront during final approach.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from City Centre (YTZ) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Seattle. While takeoff offers Lake Ontario views on the right, the landing approach provides more dramatic and sustained scenery. Mount Rainier and Puget Sound are visually striking and visible for longer during descent. Left-side seats capture the most impressive portion of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from City Centre in Toronto?
During takeoff from City Centre (YTZ), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of Lake Ontario immediately after departure, with the Toronto waterfront and downtown skyline visible during climb-out. The aircraft typically departs westbound, so the right side faces south toward the lake. Notable sights include: Lake Ontario, Toronto Islands, Downtown Toronto skyline, Scarborough Bluffs.
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. Left-side seats provide excellent views during approach to Seattle-Tacoma. The aircraft descends from the east over the Cascade Range foothills, and left-side passengers see Mount Rainier prominently, followed by Puget Sound and the Seattle waterfront during final approach. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range foothills, Puget Sound, Seattle downtown waterfront.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Seattle?
The flight from City Centre (YTZ) to Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) takes about 5 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,067 miles (3,326 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Toronto to Seattle flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Great Lakes region, then transitions over Michigan and Wisconsin. Notable midpoint features include Lake Michigan (visible from altitude), the Michigan shoreline, and the transition into the Great Plains before reaching the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Montana. The Cascade Range becomes visible approximately 1 hour before landing as a north-south mountain chain on the eastern horizon.