Flying from Portland to Seattle
 

How is the flight from Portland to Seattle? I've never been on an aircraft as small as the EMB 120.

This is about 35-40 minute actual flight time, happens about 25-30 times a day. Nothing to worry about. It's non-eventful and it will be over before you know it.

On a clear day it is a beautiful trip. Get a window seat, just in case.

Don't be alarmed if they move passengers around after boarding - it has to do with weight distribution.

Also, you may find that the amount you can carry on will be less than on larger planes - it is the ultimate gate check - if they decide your carry on is too large you put it on a cart right next to the plane immediately prior to boarding and pick it up the same way when you get off.

Get a window seat on the left side (pilots side). You'll have great views of Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood (if its clear).

<i>Get a window seat on the left side (pilots side). You'll have great views of Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood (if its clear).</i>

Actually the majority of departures from PDX are to the west, then they vector north and pretty much follow the freeway to SEA. The left side going north faces away from the mountains; on the right side you can see Mts. Adams, St. Helens and Rainier.

At SEA if landings are to the south (the majority) then the left hand side will usually afford good views of downtown Seattle as the plane goes downwind over Lake Washington before turning to its final approach heading.

I was talking about the flight from SEA-PDX. Haven't flown the other direction.

Is this the Horizon flights?

If yes, mostly I noticed how noisy it was. Besides that, it was OK. Next time I'll wear earplugs.

While many of us in the NW think of the Horizon Air shuttle between SEA-PDX, they use the de Havilland (now Bombardier) DH4(Q400) and DH8(Q200) generally, not the Embraer EMB120.

http://www.embraer.com/english/conte...ves/emb120.asp

http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/company/fleet/Q400.asp

I think the United puddle-jumper uses E120s.