Which side of the plane to sit on?
 

We're quite excited to be going in search of the Northern Lights next month. We'll be flying AS SEA-ANC-FAI. Is one side of the plane better than the other to get the best views?

Right hand side SEA-ANC, left side ANC-FAI.

Thanks!

+1

When I flew from DFW-ANC, I sat on the right side windo seat. These are some images that I captured. Click link below:

http://stefanofoto.smugmug.com/RTW-R...9454&k=F45ZhDH

Thanks for sharing the fantastic photos! We've moved our seats to the right hand seat northbound, left hand southbound.

Hope you don't mind, I also took a look at your other Alaska photos. You have really inspired me - I'm going to start planning another trip.

Update: thanks, folks!

We saw Denali in all its splendor on the way up (ANC-FAI) and not as close up but still visible in the distance on the return (ANC-SEA). The FA on the outbound flight said Denali had been clear all morning and she'd seen the Alpenglow on it a few hours earlier!

Alright, it never occurred to me to ask about this!

Any suggestions for which side to sit on from MSP-FAI?

*bump*

This forum doesn't seem to be too active; my question from two months ago is still on the first page! :-)

Just wondering whether anyone has any advice about whether it's better to sit on the port side or the starboard side of the plane. I've never been to Alaska, and want to maximize my sightseeing enjoyment! Or does it not make any difference?

I am heading up there one month from yesterday, so I'm starting to get kind of excited.

Thanks!

fti will likely have more to add on this, since he's from MSP, but I would gravitate towards the left side, as you'll have a better chance of seeing the coastal ranges and ice fields on that side (the land to the north and east of the flight path is flatter and less inspiring).

It depends on the route, though. Left is better if you're coming mostly over central Canada. However, I've had MSP-ANC flights fly almost to Seattle and then north (probably due to winds), and if that happens, you'll want to be on the right side (as the left will be the ocean).

Some people say port side from ANC to the lower 48 and starboard from the lower 48 to ANC. But I am with jackal on this - it really depends on the route the flight takes. In my +-30 round trips to Alaska I have had some great views from both sides. Many (most?) flights from ANC to the lower 48 are red eyes so I am usually resting on those almost immediately after take-off. To ANC I generally am not too concerned with which side unless I am flying from/via SEA - then I try to sit on the starboard side for better views of the land/mountains.

Okay, thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll try to book us on the port side from MSP to FAI.
We'll be taking a cruise from ANC to YVR -- hopefully we're on the port side for that leg as well! :-) It is only occurring to me now that those seven days are probably the more important ones to consider sides!

just come across this now-we are flying sea to anc then anc to sfo-so
starboard on the way going and either on the way back?

thanks

Starboard north; port south.

fti being MSP-based was referring to sitting on either side because his flights toward the midwest take a more easterly route. Your flight to SFO will either hug the coast or be a ways out over the water. In either case, if you want any chance of views on the way south, left is best.

Resurrecting this very, very old post.

Will be flying FAI-SEA on the daytime AS594 in roughly three weeks. Any suggestions which side to sit (assuming that the sky wont be overcast)? These are the routes the flight did take recently:

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/as594

I am tempted to select a window seat on the starbord side (F), and I'm happy to hear advice from the experts.

Thanks,
cas_de

Port south, starboard north (this goes for virtually any West Coast-Alaska flight). Best chance of viewing aurora and mountains.

If you choose a starboard window seat, you'll likely just be looking down on water and will be on the wrong side of the plane for any northern lights (since you'll be looking southwest). Even if the plane takes a more inland route over the Inside Passage, the crest of the Coast Ranges (with all the majestic peaks and glaciers) is still to the east (along the Canadian border).