YYJ

Best window seat at Victoria International

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

Olympic Mountains, San Juan Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca

LandingLEFT

Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains

🛫 Taking Off from Victoria (YYJ)

Best sideLeft
WhyRunway 27 departures climb westbound over the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the left side offers immediate views of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State and the San Juan Islands. You'll also see the Vancouver Island coastline receding beneath you as you gain altitude.
Look forOlympic Mountains (Washington), San Juan Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island coastline

🛬 Landing at Victoria (YYJ)

Best sideLeft
WhyLanding on runway 27 (westbound) means you're descending toward the west with the aircraft's left side facing north. This gives you direct views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and the Olympic Mountains across the water in Washington State—all prominent geographic features during final approach.
Look forStrait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands (particularly San Juan Island and Orcas Island), Olympic Mountains (Washington), Patricia Bay to the north

YYJ is a small regional airport with a single terminal, located north of downtown Victoria near Sidney. It handles mostly domestic and short-haul flights, with connections to Vancouver, Calgary, and other Western Canadian cities, plus seasonal US service.

⛰️ Elevation66 ft
🛫 Runways3 (09/27, 03/21, 14/32)
📍 NearbyFRD 21 miESD 24 miYCD 35 miYVR 39 miBLI 42 mi

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Victoria International (YYJ)?

At Victoria International in Victoria: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Olympic Mountains (Washington), San Juan Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island coastline.

What can I see during takeoff from Victoria International in Victoria?

When taking off from Victoria International (YYJ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Runway 27 departures climb westbound over the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the left side offers immediate views of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State and the San Juan Islands. You'll also see the Vancouver Island coastline receding beneath you as you gain altitude. Notable sights include: Olympic Mountains (Washington), San Juan Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island coastline.

What can I see when landing at Victoria International in Victoria?

When landing at Victoria International (YYJ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Landing on runway 27 (westbound) means you're descending toward the west with the aircraft's left side facing north. This gives you direct views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and the Olympic Mountains across the water in Washington State—all prominent geographic features during final approach. Notable sights include: Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands (particularly San Juan Island and Orcas Island), Olympic Mountains (Washington), Patricia Bay to the north.

What factors affect the best window seat at Victoria International?

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