Which side of the plane to sit on?
Jan 10, 2013 | 12:29 am
#1
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 48,878
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?
Jan 10, 2013 | 8:42 am
#2
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,517
Jan 11, 2013 | 9:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SORT OF HOMELESS
Programs: 14 years AA exp, but no more; & 1MM+, QR-PLT (ow EMD) MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 8,104
+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
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
Jan 12, 2013 | 11:20 pm
#5
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 48,878
+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
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
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.
Mar 1, 2013 | 9:32 pm
#6
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 48,878
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!
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!
May 26, 2013 | 9:59 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
*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!
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!
May 27, 2013 | 8:09 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S+, Choice Platinum
Posts: 23,317
*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!
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!
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).
May 27, 2013 | 6:44 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,943
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).
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).
Jun 3, 2013 | 6:02 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
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!
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!
Jan 18, 2014 | 9:15 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S+, Choice Platinum
Posts: 23,317
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.
Feb 22, 2022 | 1:30 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between DM464 and DM463 on the NAPSA26 RNAV TRANS in EDDM
Programs: nothing
Posts: 1,731
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
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
Feb 22, 2022 | 9:13 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S+, Choice Platinum
Posts: 23,317
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
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
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).