CruisinMama7 Posted September 28, 2014 #1 Share Posted September 28, 2014 We are flying from Dallas, TX to Seattle next summer on Alaska Airlines. Does anybody know from which side of the plane we can best see Mount Rainier? We won't have time for a side trip, so the flight will probably be my own chance to see it. TIA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mapleleaves Posted September 29, 2014 #2 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Assuming your flight approaches Seattle from the south, I'd sit on the right side (starboard). Just before Mt Rainier will also see Mt St Helens and Mt Adams is just behind it. But sitting on the left side also provides nice views too; Puget Sound, the islands, boats/ships and the Olympic Mtn range in the background. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruckerDave Posted September 29, 2014 #3 Share Posted September 29, 2014 I flew in from Dallas last sept and sat on the left side and we came in from the east. All the notable mountains were on the lest side of the plane. (the pilot pointed them out to us. I have pics some where). Probably just depends on weather and what route the plane takes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gardyloo Posted September 29, 2014 #4 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Most DFW-SEA flghts approach to the north of Rainier, so the left side has a higher chance of seeing the mountain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky61 Posted September 29, 2014 #5 Share Posted September 29, 2014 I play golf with about 10 Alaska pilots and they say it depends on more than one factor. Sometimes the plane lands to the south and other times it lands to the north. It is a crap shoot according to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gardyloo Posted September 29, 2014 #6 Share Posted September 29, 2014 I play golf with about 10 Alaska pilots and they say it depends on more than one factor. Sometimes the plane lands to the south and other times it lands to the north. It is a crap shoot according to them.Landing to the north or to the south depends on the wind direction. Most of our wind comes from the south, so they land from the north. (On warm summer days the wind tends to come from the north, hence they land to the north.) However the standard approach from the east vectors north of Mount Rainier; it's after that that the base and final approach directions are determined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zephyr17 Posted September 29, 2014 #7 Share Posted September 29, 2014 My experience flying from DFW-SEA is Rainier will be on your left. There is no guarantee, though, depends on the flight path include the landing pattern into SEA that day as other posters have pointed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putterdude Posted September 29, 2014 #8 Share Posted September 29, 2014 It will depend entirely upon how ATC route you into SEA but I would likely gamble on the starboard side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky61 Posted September 29, 2014 #9 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Landing to the north or to the south depends on the wind direction. Most of our wind comes from the south, so they land from the north. (On warm summer days the wind tends to come from the north, hence they land to the north.) However the standard approach from the east vectors north of Mount Rainier; it's after that that the base and final approach directions are determined. I just posted what they told me.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gardyloo Posted September 29, 2014 #10 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Go to Flightaware's KSEA in-flight map and you'll almost always see that flights from DFW/ORD and other eastern areas travel north of Rainier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vexorg Posted September 29, 2014 #11 Share Posted September 29, 2014 I'd go with what others have said, but most flights I take out of SEA head southbound on the west side of Rainier, so the left side of the plane seems like the best bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
born2cruize Posted September 30, 2014 #12 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Flying into and out of SeaTac 4 - 6 times a year the majority of the time planes land from the north which generally mean that the port side is the best views. Taking off is usually to the south which also means the port side is the best views of Rainier. But as said sometimes the winds change and landing is the opposite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinMama7 Posted October 4, 2014 Author #13 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Much gratitude for all responses! I'm not a frequent flyer so I will be a window watcher.:o We're booked left side (port) for both legs of the flight so I will remain where we are presently seated. Sounds like it is a toss of the coin. It really doesn't matter where I'm seated just as long as I get to Alaska! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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