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SEA → FCA
Which side of the plane to sit from Seattle Tacoma International Airport (Seattle) to Glacier Park International Airport (Kalispell)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers an iconic, close-up view of Mount Rainier shortly after departure and provides a superior vantage point for Flathead Lake and the Mission Mountains during the descent into Kalispell.
Mount Rainier
An incredible close-up view of the 14,411-foot glaciated peak shortly after takeoff from SEA.
Columbia River
The winding blue artery of the Pacific Northwest cutting through the basalt cliffs of the high desert.
Lake Coeur d'Alene
The stunning, multi-fingered blue lake in the Idaho Panhandle surrounded by lush green hills.
Mission Mountains
Dramatic, jagged peaks that rise sharply from the valley floor south of Kalispell.
Flathead Lake
The largest natural freshwater lake in the western US, often visible during the final descent pattern.
Bob Marshall Wilderness
Glimpses of one of the most preserved ecosystem areas in the United States to the Southeast.
Keep your camera ready within 10 minutes of takeoff for Mount Rainier. During the descent into FCA, pilots often fly a pattern that showcases the massive expanse of Flathead Lake to the south; the right side is perfectly positioned for this view. Afternoon flights provide beautiful golden hour lighting on the Mission Mountains.
Seattle Skyline
Panoramic views of downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, and Elliott Bay if departing to the North.
Glacier Peak
Views of the most remote of the five active volcanoes in Washington State within the North Cascades.
Colville National Forest
Vast stretches of mountainous wilderness and dense evergreen forests in Northeastern Washington.
Selkirk Mountains
Rugged peaks crossing the border between Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia.
Whitefish Range
The snow-capped western edge of the Rocky Mountains as the flight prepares for landing.
Sit forward of the wing to capture unobstructed photos of the North Cascades. Morning flights are ideal on this side to enjoy the crisp alpine scenery without the harsh glare of the southern sun.
Distance: 608 km (378 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 1 min
Departure: SEA (47.449001, -122.308998)
Arrival: FCA (48.31050109863281, -114.25599670410156)
Route Type: Domestic
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