SEA to PHX: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Seattle (SEA) to Phoenix (PHX) is a 1,782 km (1,107 mi), roughly 2h 36m southbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime SEA to PHX 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 | Left | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Choose the right side for views, but it is also the sun side. If you want the clearest window line, that is the better pick. If glare matters more, the left side stays shadier.
Sit on the right for the best views on this southbound flight. You get the volcanic start, the desert middle, and a strong finish into Phoenix. The tradeoff is sun on that side too, especially on daytime and evening departures.
Takeoff
On departure from SEA, depending on the runway in use, the left side can briefly show Seattle and Lake Washington while the right side picks up Tacoma. A few minutes in, the right side also gets a close look at the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier as the climb steepens.
En route
- 11m inRight →Mount St. Helens
About 11 minutes in, Mount St. Helens sits on the right. It is a sharp volcanic peak, easy to spot if the air is clear.
- 19m inRight →Mount Hood
Around 20 minutes after takeoff, Mount Hood stays on the right. It is another tall volcanic cone, farther out and lower in the window.
- 53m in← LeftBoise
About 50 minutes in, Boise passes on the left. You are looking for a city shape rather than a single landmark: a spread of development against open country.
- 1h 40m in← LeftGreat Basin National Park
Around 1 hour 40 minutes in, Great Basin National Park is on the left. It is a broad, remote stretch of land rather than a tight, city-style view.
- 2h 04m inRight →Hoover Dam
About 2 hours 4 minutes in, Hoover Dam comes up on the right. It is a compact engineered line on the landscape, so keep that window ready.
Landing
On descent into PHX, depending on the runway in use, the right side gets the best final look at Glendale and then Phoenix itself as it comes nearly overhead. The left side sees Chandler and Mesa, with Scottsdale also near the approach.
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 PHX?
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 PHX 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 SEA to PHX?
The great-circle distance is 1,782 km (1,107 mi), which works out to roughly 2h 36m in the air on this southbound 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 from Seattle to Phoenix?
Sit on the right. It has the better view line on this route, though it also gets the sun.
Will the views be good the whole way?
The route starts with mountains and then shifts to desert and city approaches. The best window moments are the climb out, the middle of the flight, and the final descent.