Loading map...
NUI → SCC
Which side of the plane to sit from Nuiqsut Airport (Nuiqsut) to Deadhorse Airport (Deadhorse)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic views of the Arctic coastline, the Beaufort Sea, and the intricate maze of the Colville River Delta.
Search flights from NUI to SCC
Beaufort Sea
Vast views of the Arctic Ocean, often filled with floating sea ice or ice floes depending on the season.
Colville River Delta
A massive, complex network of river channels and sandbars as the Colville River meets the sea.
Barrier Islands
The Jones Islands and other small spits of land that parallel the coast north of the Prudhoe Bay area.
Permafrost Polygons
Intricate geometric patterns in the earth created by the freezing and thawing of the arctic soil.
Sit on the left for the best chance to see the transition from tundra to the Arctic Ocean. During late summer, watch for the distinct blue of the water against the green tundra; in winter, look for the pressure ridges in the sea ice. Morning flights often provide a crisp light that highlights the polygonal ground patterns.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United States
Prudhoe Bay Infrastructure
An impressive aerial view of the network of gravel roads, pipelines, and drilling pads that make up the oil fields.
Thermokarst Lakes
Thousands of shallow, oval-shaped lakes typical of the Arctic Coastal Plain, formed by melting permafrost.
Arctic Wildlife
Keep a close eye on the tundra for herds of caribou or the occasional muskox wandering the plains.
Kuparuk River
The second largest river on Alaska's North Slope, winding its way through the tundra toward the sea.
The right side is ideal for seeing the industrial scale of the North Slope. As you approach Deadhorse, the density of man-made structures increases significantly. Use binoculars if possible to spot caribou trails that crisscross the landscape between the lakes. This side is particularly interesting during twilight when the lights of the facility start to glow.
Book Hotels in DeadhorseDistance: 96 km (60 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 10 min
Departure: NUI (70.2099990845, -151.00599670399998)
Arrival: SCC (70.19470215, -148.46499630000002)
Route Type: Domestic
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.