Photo: Rufus Hawthorne at English Wikipedia · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
The largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies feeds glaciers flowing into three oceans. Visible on flights across the Canadian Rockies between Calgary and Vancouver.
100Flight Routes
1 miClosest Pass
🧊 IceType
Routes that pass it100
MXP → SEA
Both Sides
SEA → MXP
Both Sides
BFI → KEF
Both Sides
FCO → SEA
Both Sides
KEF → BFI
Both Sides
LIN → SEA
Both Sides
RKV → SEA
Both Sides
SEA → FCO
Both Sides
SEA → LIN
Both Sides
SEA → RKV
Both Sides
CIA → SEA
Both Sides
SEA → CIA
Both Sides
YXS → YYC
Both Sides
YYC → YXS
Both Sides
BFI → FCO
Both Sides
FCO → BFI
Both Sides
FLR → SEA
Both Sides
KEF → SEA
Both Sides
SEA → FLR
Both Sides
SEA → KEF
Both Sides
BJC → FAI
Both Sides
FAI → BJC
Both Sides
PDX → PRG
Left
PRG → PDX
Right
DEN → FAI
Left
FAI → DEN
Right
PER → PHL
Right
PHL → PER
Left
AMS → SEA
Left
BFI → CDG
Left
CDG → BFI
Right
SEA → AMS
Right
BFI → LHR
Left
LCY → SEA
Right
LHR → BFI
Right
SEA → LCY
Left
NRT → YYC
Right
YYC → NRT
Left
AMS → BFI
Left
BFI → AMS
Right
CDG → SEA
Right
SEA → CDG
Left
LHR → SEA
Right
SEA → LHR
Left
FAI → SKF
Left
SKF → FAI
Right
NCE → SEA
Right
SEA → NCE
Left
FRA → SEA
Left
SEA → FRA
Right
SYD → YLJ
Right
YLJ → SYD
Left
YEG → YVR
Right
YVR → YEG
Left
BFI → FRA
Right
FRA → BFI
Left
AEY → SEA
Left
MNL → YYC
Right
SEA → AEY
Right
YYC → MNL
Left
KIX → YYC
Right
YYC → KIX
Left
BFI → DUB
Left
DUB → BFI
Right
MUC → SEA
Left
SEA → MUC
Right
BCN → YXX
Left
YXX → BCN
Right
DUB → SEA
Right
SEA → DUB
Left
BFI → MUC
Right
YEG → YYJ
Right
YYJ → YEG
Left
CAI → PDX
Left
PDX → CAI
Right
SEA → YZS
Left
YZS → SEA
Right
FRA → PDX
Right
PDX → FRA
Left
DFW → HKG
Right
HKG → DFW
Left
PRG → SEA
Left
SEA → PRG
Right
ICN → YYC
Right
YYC → ICN
Left
AMS → PDX
Right
PDX → AMS
Left
BER → SEA
Left
SEA → BER
Right
HKG → YYC
Right
YYC → HKG
Left
BCN → SEA
Right
SEA → BCN
Left
YEG → YLW
Right
YLW → YEG
Left
IAH → FNJ
Right
YXY → YYC
Right
YYC → YXY
Left
LHR → YXX
Left
YXX → LHR
Right
Tip: Visibility depends on cloud cover, time of day, and how close the flight path comes. Sit on the listed side for the best chance of a view. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see Columbia Icefield from a plane?
Yes — 100 flight routes pass within 50 miles of Columbia Icefield. The closest routes include Milano to Seattle, Seattle to Milano, Seattle to Keflavik. The landmark is visible from both sides, with the landmark passing about 1 miles away.
Which side of the plane is best for viewing Columbia Icefield?
The best side varies by route. For the most common routes near Columbia Icefield: on a Milano to Seattle flight, visible from both sides; on a Seattle to Milano flight, visible from both sides; on a Seattle to Keflavik flight, visible from both sides.