ANC to SEA: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Anchorage (ANC) to Seattle (SEA) is a 2,326 km (1,445 mi), roughly 3h 14m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime ANC to SEA departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Left | Right | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Right | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not pick a side here. The shade side is the better all-around choice.
This route is not decided by views. Pick the left side for shade on most of the flight, then watch the right side for the approach into Seattle.
Takeoff
After departure from Anchorage, depending on the runway in use, the city sits close on your left and can pass almost under you as you climb.
En route
- 14m in← LeftPrince William Sound
About 15 minutes in, Prince William Sound opens on your left as a broad bay beside the climb.
- 39m in← LeftMount Saint Elias
Around 40 minutes in, Mount Saint Elias stays on your left, a sharp mountain edge near the border.
- 40m in← LeftMount Logan
One minute later, Mount Logan is also on your left. It is the highest mountain in Canada, in Yukon.
- 1h 57m inRight →Haida Gwaii
About two hours in, Haida Gwaii appears on your right, followed by Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site a few minutes later.
- 2h 45m inRight →Vancouver Island
Near 2 hours 45 minutes in, Vancouver Island shows on your right as a long island shape offshore.
Landing
On descent into Seattle, depending on the runway in use, Seattle can come into view on your left while Lake Washington sits just below and Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range line up on your right.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from ANC to SEA?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on ANC to SEA flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the right side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from ANC to SEA?
The great-circle distance is 2,326 km (1,445 mi), which works out to roughly 3h 14m in the air on this eastbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on for Anchorage to Seattle?
The left side is the shade side, so it is the safer pick for comfort on this route. Views are mixed, so shade is the cleaner decision.
What views do I get near Seattle on ANC to SEA?
Near landing, you can see Seattle on the left, Lake Washington just before it, and Mount Rainier with the Cascade Range on the right.