SEA to ANC: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Seattle (SEA) to Anchorage (ANC) is a 2,326 km (1,445 mi), roughly 3h 14m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime SEA to ANC departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Both | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are balanced here, so the window seat choice comes down to shade. On this northbound flight, the right side is the better bet for staying out of the sun.
This route is good on both sides, so views don't decide it. Pick the shade side and use the window for the highlights that line up.
Takeoff
After departure from SEA, depending on the runway in use, the left side gets the first big sights: the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier sit out there during climb, with Tacoma below. A minute later, Seattle is close on the right and can pass almost under you.
En route
- 29m in← LeftVancouver Island
About half an hour in, Vancouver Island shows on the left as a long island shape.
- 1h 11m in← LeftGwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site
Around an hour in, Gwaii Haanas is on the left. It is a protected stretch on Haida Gwaii, so you are looking for a broad island edge rather than a single landmark.
- 1h 17m in← LeftHaida Gwaii
A few minutes later, Haida Gwaii stays on the left as an island chain on the far coast.
- 1h 48m inRight →Alexander Archipelago
About 1 hour 50 minutes in, the Alexander Archipelago appears on the right as scattered Alaskan islands.
- 2h 11m inRight →Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Around two hours and ten minutes in, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is on the right, with rugged land and water spread wide below.
- 2h 35m inRight →Mount Saint Elias
Just after that, Mount Saint Elias is on the right and nearly under the aircraft, so it comes and goes fast.
Landing
On descent into ANC, depending on the runway in use, Prince William Sound is on the right about 15 minutes out. Then Anchorage comes up on the right and nearly overhead, so keep that window open near the end.
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 SEA to ANC?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on SEA to ANC flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from SEA to ANC?
The great-circle distance is 2,326 km (1,445 mi), which works out to roughly 3h 14m in the air on this northbound 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 of the plane has the best views on SEA to ANC?
Views are fairly even on this route, so there is no clear winner. Choose the right side for shade.
What can I see on the Seattle to Anchorage flight?
Near departure you can catch the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier, Tacoma, and Seattle. Farther north, the route passes Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, Glacier Bay, and Mount Saint Elias.