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SEA → ABQ
Which side of the plane to sit from Seattle Tacoma International Airport (Seattle) to Albuquerque International Sunport (Albuquerque)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the most iconic peaks of the Cascades, including an immediate, close-up view of Mount Rainier, and a dramatic finish alongside the Sandia Mountains.
Search flights from SEA to ABQ
Mount Rainier
Visible almost immediately after takeoff, this massive 14,411-foot stratovolcano dominates the horizon.
Mount Adams
The second-highest peak in Washington state appears shortly after Rainier as you head south.
Snake River Canyons
Deep basalt canyons and winding river bends carved through the southern Idaho landscape.
Wasatch Range
Jagged, snow-capped peaks stretching through Utah, often visible during the mid-flight segment.
Sandia Mountains
A stunning granite escarpment that turns pink at sunset, bordering the city of Albuquerque.
Sit on the left for the 'Rainier View' departure; it is one of the most famous sights in aviation. Choose a morning flight for the best lighting on the Cascades. During the winter, the contrast of snow against the dark basalt of the Snake River Plain is particularly striking.
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Puget Sound
Aerial views of the islands and waterways around Seattle during the initial climb.
Mount St. Helens
The distinct crater left by the 1980 eruption is visible to the south-southwest of the flight path.
Great Basin Desert
A vast landscape of 'basin and range' topography stretching across Nevada and Utah.
Four Corners Region
Unique desert geological formations where the borders of CO, UT, AZ, and NM meet.
Rio Grande Valley
The green ribbon of the Rio Grande visible as the aircraft descends into the high desert of New Mexico.
The right side is the best choice for evening flights to witness the sunset over the desert. Look for the white plume of the Hanford Site or the distinct volcanic craters of the high desert mid-route. Ensure your window is clean to capture the subtle desert gradients.
Book Hotels in AlbuquerqueDistance: 1,897 km (1,179 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 32 min
Departure: SEA (47.449001, -122.308998)
Arrival: ABQ (35.040199, -106.609001)
Route Type: Domestic
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