Planespotting Seattle — KSEA
Seattle is the one city where the airliner is still made down the road from the airport you land at. Sea-Tac itself has three closely spaced parallel runways — 16L/34R, 16C/34C and 16R/34L — and no official viewing area since the old one made way for the third runway. South flow (16 arrivals from the north) is the more common configuration, especially in the wetter months; north flow on 34 is typical in settled summer weather. Around it lie the Boeing airfields that make the trip special: Boeing Field (KBFI) just south of downtown, where new 737s are finished, test-flown and delivered; Renton, where they are built on the shore of Lake Washington; and Paine Field in Everett, home of the widebody line. A day here can mix Alaska and Delta hub traffic, Asian freighters and green-primed test aircraft. Summer gives the best light and longest days.
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- B738
- N480UA A320
- A21N
- N809AW A319
- A321
- DAL2419 BCS3
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Conditions right now
Runways
- 16L/34R RWY 16L 3,631 × 46 m · 11,913 × 151 ft concrete
- LOWE 3,048 × 609 m · 10,000 × 1,998 ft closed
- 16C/34C 2,876 × 46 m · 9,436 × 151 ft concrete
- 16R/34L 2,592 × 46 m · 8,504 × 151 ft concrete
Ask the sky
What flew over this morning? Where was that loud one heading? Ask in plain words — the answer comes from real recorded traffic.
Airport profile
Typical traffic by hour
Relative intensity by local hour — a typical day, not live data.Peak: 07:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody62%
- Widebody18%
- Cargo9%
- Turboprop5%
- Bizjet4%
- Military2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
S 146th Street by the wastewater plant
A popular local spot north of the airfield for 16L and 16C arrivals, with taxiway traffic close enough for clean ground shots. Parking for only a few cars and no facilities, but it is the most reliable south-flow location.
- Getting there
- Around 2208 S 146th St, SeaTac — via Southcenter Boulevard and 24th Ave S. Room for four or five cars; bring food and water.
- Best time
- South flow (16 arrivals), from sunrise until late morning.
- Lens
- 50–100 mm for 16L arrivals, up to 400 mm for 16C and taxiway shots.
16th Ave S near S 188th Street
South of the airport where 16th Ave S meets S 188th St, gaps in the trees give views of arrivals onto all three 34 runways. Spotters split between the trucking-yard side for 34R/34C and the grass across the road for 34L.
- Getting there
- 16th Ave S, SeaTac, by car; roadside parking is tight and you may be moved on, so park a few blocks away and walk back. Busy truck traffic — stay off the carriageway.
- Best time
- North flow. 34R/34C from late morning to sunset; 34L from sunrise to late morning.
- Lens
- 50–400 mm covers all three runways.
The Museum of Flight, Boeing Field
A world-class museum at the south end of Boeing Field with runway 14R/32L right outside. Test and delivery 737s, bizjets and cargo traffic pass the grounds, and the outdoor Aviation Pavilion holds a Concorde, the first 747 and a 787 prototype.
- Getting there
- 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle. Own car park; King County Metro buses run from downtown. Paid entry and set opening hours — check before you go.
- Best time
- Any time the museum is open; aircraft on the runway are best from the outside areas in morning light.
- Lens
- 100–400 mm for movements, wide angle for the exhibits.
Boeing Future of Flight Strato Deck, Paine Field
The rooftop deck of Boeing's visitor centre in Mukilteo looks over Paine Field and towards the Everett factory. Watch 767 and 777 test flights, freshly painted deliveries and Alaska and United passenger services from the small Paine Field terminal.
- Getting there
- 8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, about 40 minutes north of Seattle. Ticketed attraction; the factory tour starts here (no photography on the tour). Check current hours and tour availability on boeingfutureofflight.com.
- Best time
- Midday onward for runway traffic; mornings can be backlit towards the factory side.
- Lens
- 100–400 mm.
Cedar River Trail, Renton Municipal
The trail along the east side of Renton airport gives views through the trees of newly built 737s parked up before their first flight to Boeing Field. Photography of the factory buildings themselves is not permitted.
- Getting there
- From Logan Ave N turn onto N 6th St; car park at the trail head. Then follow the trail on foot in either direction.
- Best time
- Morning light favours the aircraft parked on the west side of the field; first flights depart towards Lake Washington.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
Alaska Airlines is the home carrier, with 737s, Embraer 175s from Horizon and SkyWest, and now 787 long-haul to Asia and Europe since the Hawaiian merger. Delta runs a transpacific gateway with A330s and A350s. Visitors include Emirates, Qatar, Lufthansa, British Airways, Condor, Icelandair, EVA Air, Starlux, Korean Air, ANA and JAL, and Sea-Tac is a major freighter airport for Asian carriers, Atlas, FedEx, UPS and Amazon. Around the city, Boeing Field adds test 737 MAX and P-8 work, Paine Field 767, 777 and KC-46 flights, and seaplanes on Lake Union. Summer is peak season.
FAQ
What's that plane over Seattle?
Spotterra's live map shows every aircraft over Puget Sound in real time — Sea-Tac arrivals, Boeing test flights out of Boeing Field and Paine Field, even floatplanes — with type, registration and route.
Is there an official viewing area at Sea-Tac?
No. The old one disappeared with the third runway. Public roadside spots north and south of the field are what locals use; airside, the free SEA Visitor Pass gives limited daily access to the gates (apply in advance).
Where do I see Boeing test aircraft?
New 737s are test-flown and delivered from Boeing Field — the Museum of Flight is the easiest place to watch. Widebodies and KC-46 tankers fly from Paine Field in Everett, best seen from the Future of Flight deck.
Which way does Sea-Tac land?
South flow (16 arrivals) dominates most of the year, north flow (34) is common in clear summer weather. Spotterra predicts the flow from the live METAR.
Spotterra watches the sky over Seattle
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