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SEA → CLT
Which side of the plane to sit from Seattle Tacoma International Airport (Seattle) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (Charlotte)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is the definitive choice for this route, offering a spectacular, close-up view of Mount Rainier immediately after departure from Seattle, followed by the majestic peaks of the southern Cascades and a scenic approach over the Appalachian Mountains into North Carolina.
Mount Rainier
An unparalleled view of Washington's highest peak, often passed at relatively low altitude shortly after takeoff.
Mount St. Helens
The famous horseshoe-shaped crater and blast zone visible to the south of the initial flight path.
The Badlands
Dramatic, eroded rock formations and striped earth visible as the flight traverses the Dakotas and Nebraska.
Appalachian Mountains
The rolling, blue-tinted ridges of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains during the descent phase.
Uptown Charlotte
A stunning view of the Charlotte skyline and the 'Bank of America Corporate Center' if landing from the north.
The right side is the 'Rainier Side.' Ensure your window is clear within 10 minutes of takeoff. For photography, use a fast shutter speed to capture the mountain's detail. During the final 20 minutes of the flight, keep your camera ready for the rolling hills of the Appalachians and the sudden appearance of the Charlotte skyscrapers.
Seattle & Bellevue
Aerial views of the Space Needle, Lake Washington, and the tech hubs of the Pacific Northwest during climb-out.
North Cascades
The jagged, glaciated peaks of Northern Washington provide a rugged wilderness backdrop to the north.
The Missouri River
Large, sweeping bends of the 'Big Muddy' as the flight crosses from the plains into the Midwest.
Midwestern Patchwork
A vast, geometric quilt of green and gold farmland stretching across Iowa and Illinois.
Lake Norman
The largest man-made lake in North Carolina, signaling the final minutes of the flight before landing.
The left side is ideal for morning flights to avoid the harsh glare of the southern sun. It offers a more consistent view of the suburban sprawl of Seattle and the northern stretches of the Rocky Mountains. On the descent into Charlotte, look for the massive footprint of Lake Norman and its winding shoreline.
Distance: 3,660 km (2,274 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 18 min
Departure: SEA (47.449001, -122.308998)
Arrival: CLT (35.2140007019043, -80.94309997558594)
Route Type: Domestic
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