Which side of plane to see Mount Rainier?

[CruisinMama7]

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.

[mapleleaves]

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.

[TruckerDave]

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.

[Gardyloo]

Most DFW-SEA flghts approach to the north of Rainier, so the left side has a higher chance of seeing the mountain.

[Husky61]

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.

[Gardyloo]

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.

[zephyr17]

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.

[Putterdude]

It will depend entirely upon how ATC route you into SEA but I would likely gamble on the starboard side.

[Husky61]

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.:)

[Gardyloo]

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.

[Vexorg]

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.

[born2cruize]

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.

[CruisinMama7]

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!