SEA to KEF: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Seattle (SEA) to Reykjavík (KEF) is a 5,811 km (3,611 mi), roughly 7h 20m 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 KEF 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 | Right | Both | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views don’t decide this one. The shade side is left, so that is the safer pick if you want less glare.
This route does not pick a clear view side. Go with the shade side for comfort, and treat the windows as a bonus either way. You get a strong start out of Seattle, a mix of mountain and park views across Canada, then a left-side finish into Iceland.
Takeoff
On departure from SEA, depending on the runway in use, the right side can catch the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier, and Tacoma right away. Seattle and Lake Washington can sit nearly under the left side as you climb, so both sides have something early on.
En route
- 11m in← LeftMount Baker
About 10 minutes in, Mount Baker sits on the left. It is a clean volcanic cone if the air is clear.
- 12m inRight →North Cascades National Park
A minute or so later, North Cascades National Park is on the right. It is a rugged mountain park view, not a single feature.
- 42m inRight →Glacier National Park
Around 40 minutes in, Glacier National Park is on the right. Expect broad mountain terrain rather than one obvious landmark.
- 49m in← LeftCanadian Rockies
Just under 50 minutes in, the Canadian Rockies are on the left. This is the big mountain stretch, spread wide across the window.
- 4h 31m in← LeftBaffin Island
About 4 and a half hours in, Baffin Island is on the left. It is a long Arctic landmass, so you see scale more than detail.
- 5h 34m in← LeftDisko Bay
Roughly 5 and a half hours in, Disko Bay is on the left. It reads as open water beside the coastline.
Landing
Into KEF, depending on the runway in use, the left side lines up with Þingvallavatn, Fagradalsfjall, Hengill, Esja, and Reykjanes at touchdown. Near the end, Snæfellsjökull also comes in on the left, so the final approach favors that side.
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 KEF?
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 SEA to KEF 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 KEF?
The great-circle distance is 5,811 km (3,611 mi), which works out to roughly 7h 20m 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 is best from SEA to KEF?
For shade, choose the left side. Views are mixed, so there is no single winner there.
What do you see after takeoff from Seattle?
Right after departure, the right side can get the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier, and Tacoma. Seattle and Lake Washington can sit nearly underneath the left side.