Loading map...
PDX → YVR
Which side of the plane to sit from Portland International Airport (Portland) to Vancouver International Airport (Vancouver)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side provides a spectacular front-row seat to the Cascade Volcanic Arc, featuring close-up views of Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier, along with the Seattle skyline.
Search flights from PDX to YVR
Mount St. Helens
An incredible view of the massive crater and the blast zone from the 1980 eruption.
Mount Rainier
The most prominent peak in the lower 48 states towers over the flight path.
Seattle Skyline
Excellent views of downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, and Lake Washington.
Mount Baker
The final volcanic peak before crossing into Canada, often covered in heavy snow.
Fraser Valley
The lush agricultural lands and suburban sprawl of the Lower Mainland on approach.
Sit ahead of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the volcanoes. Morning flights are superior as the sun illuminates the western faces of the mountains. Keep your camera ready shortly after takeoff for the 'Volcano Row' sequence.
Book Hotels in Vancouver
Columbia River Gorge
Immediate views of the wide river basin after departing PDX heading north.
Olympic Mountains
A distant but majestic view of the rugged peaks on the Olympic Peninsula to the west.
San Juan Islands
A beautiful archipelago of forested islands visible during the descent into Vancouver.
Strait of Georgia
Busy maritime lanes and ferry routes connecting the mainland to Vancouver Island.
Choose this side for afternoon flights to avoid direct sun glare and to enjoy potential sunset reflections over the Pacific and the Salish Sea. It is also the better side for viewing the Gulf Islands during the final approach pattern into YVR.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for CanadaDistance: 403 km (250 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 40 min
Departure: PDX (45.58869934, -122.5979996)
Arrival: YVR (49.193901061999995, -123.183998108)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.