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SEA → KTN
Which side of the plane to sit from Seattle Tacoma International Airport (Seattle) to Ketchikan International Airport (Ketchikan)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft offers unparalleled views of the Cascade Range, the snow-capped British Columbia Coast Mountains, and the dramatic fjords leading into Alaska.
Seattle Skyline
A stunning view of downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, and Lake Washington shortly after takeoff.
Mount Rainier
If the flight path takes a southern turn before heading north, this massive volcanic peak dominates the horizon to the southeast.
BC Coast Mountains
A continuous wall of ice-capped peaks and glaciers stretching for hundreds of miles along the mainland.
Misty Fjords
Approaching Ketchikan, the right side often looks directly into the deep, sheer-walled glacial valleys of Misty Fjords National Monument.
The right side is the premier choice for mountain lovers. For the best photography of the BC glaciers, book a morning flight when the sun illuminates the eastern slopes. During the descent into Ketchikan, keep your camera ready for the narrow channels and steep cliffs that define the Inside Passage. Seasonal note: in winter, the low sun angle creates dramatic shadows across the mountain ridges.
Puget Sound
Expansive views of the intricate waterways and islands of the Sound immediately after departure from Seattle.
Olympic Mountains
To the west, the jagged, snow-dusted peaks of Olympic National Park are visible across the water.
Vancouver Island
Tracking along the western edge, you will see the rugged, densely forested terrain of Canada's massive coastal island.
Alexander Archipelago
As you enter Alaskan airspace, see the remote, uninhabited islands scattered across the Pacific entrance.
Choose the left side for afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. This side is also excellent for viewing the transition from the urban sprawl of Washington to the remote wilderness of British Columbia's outer islands. Watch for whale spouts in the Hecate Strait if flying at lower altitudes during descent.
Distance: 1,093 km (679 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 27 min
Departure: SEA (47.449001, -122.308998)
Arrival: KTN (55.35559845, -131.7140045)
Route Type: Domestic
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