How Long is a Flight from Atlanta to Seattle? (2025)
Article & Photos by: allie albanese
Originally Published: May 15, 2023
Updated: January 1, 2025
How long is a flight from Atlanta to Seattle? Check out this comprehensive guide for flight time information, airline details, and useful travel tips to help you plan your trip from east to west with ease.
When planning a trip from Atlanta to Seattle, one of the most important questions on travelers’ minds is undoubtedly, “How long is a flight from Atlanta to Seattle, Washington?“
As a professional travel writer based in Atlanta who recently returned from an incredible trip to the Emerald City, I understand that answering this question is crucial to helping travelers organize their transportation accordingly. I also understand that in addition to knowing the time it takes to travel between these two popular cities, travelers want information about flight options, airlines, airports, and the like.
So to help you plan your trip from Atlanta to Seattle with confidence, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide. From the airlines that offer nonstop flights to flying times to the cheapest and most expensive times to fly, read on for all the necessary information you need to find a great deal and to plan a stress-free journey from the Peach State to the Evergreen State!
Plan your trip with my favorite resources!
— Reserve accommodations here: Booking.com
— Book day tours here: Viator.com
— Secure a rental car here: DiscoverCars.com
— Buy an airport lounge membership here: PriorityPass.com
— Purchase travel insurance here: SafetyWing.com
How Long Is A Flight From Atlanta To Seattle?*
From gate to gate, the average Atlanta to Seattle flight time is 5 hours, 30 minutes for nonstop flights. However, this time can vary depending on a number of factors such as airline choice, aircraft type, and weather conditions. Connecting flights and layovers can also increase overall travel time significantly.
For example, the travel time for a one-stop commercial flight from Atlanta to Seattle can take anywhere from 7 hours to 29 hours or more. For certain flights that stop at Denver International Airport (DEN), for example, the travel time is 7 hours, 10 minutes, while the travel time for particular flights that stop at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is 29 hours, 52 minutes.
Adding a second stop further increases the total travel time, with a two-stop commercial flight between Atlanta and Seattle ranging from 10 hours to 24 hours or more. For example, the travel time for certain flights that stop at both Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Portland International Airport (PDX) is 10 hours, 20 minutes, while particular flights that stop at both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can take close to 24 hours.
It’s also important to note that conditions such as weather patterns and air traffic can also affect Seattle flights. In the winter months, for instance, snowstorms can cause flight delays or cancellations. And during peak travel periods, heavy air traffic may also result in longer flight times.
PRIVATE AIR TRAVEL
The quickest Atlanta to Seattle flights are via private jet. According to Linear Air, the flight time on a midsize Hawker 800, Citation Excel, Learjet 60, or similar aircraft, is 5 hours, 4 mins. On a large Gulfstream IV, Challenger 604, Falcon 900, or similar aircraft, the flight duration is 4 hours, 36 minutes.
HOW LONG IS A FLIGHT FROM SEATTLE TO ATLANTA?
For the return trip from Seattle to Atlanta, travelers can expect a slightly shorter flight duration. Direct flights typically take around 5 hours, while one-stop and two-stop flights can take longer depending on the layover and route.
What Airlines Fly From Atlanta To Seattle?*
A number of major airlines offer flights from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to Tacoma Intl Airport with options ranging from non-stop to 2-stop flights. Airlines offering the most popular routes include:
- DELTA AIRLINES: Direct and 1-stop
- ALASKA AIRLINES: Direct and 1-stop
- UNITED AIRLINES: 1-stop and 2-stop
- AMERICAN AIRLINES: 1-stop
- SOUTHEWEST AIRLINES: 1-stop
- JETBLUE: 1-stop
- FRONTIER AIRLINES: 1-stop
- SPIRIT AIRLINES: 1-stop and 2-stop
It’s also worth noting that certain airline alliances, such as SkyTeam, oneworld, and Star Alliance, offer flights between these two cities as well.
Flight classes available for this route include Basic Economy, Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class. However, different airlines offer different options, so check with your airline to determine which ones it provides.
DIRECT FLIGHTS ATL TO SEA
Only Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines offer non-stop flights between Atlanta and Seattle. Together, these two major airlines offer roughly 13 direct flights per day.
Plan your trip with my favorite resources!
— Reserve accommodations here: Booking.com
— Book day tours here: Viator.com
— Secure a rental car here: DiscoverCars.com
— Buy an airport lounge membership here: PriorityPass.com
— Purchase travel insurance here: SafetyWing.com
How Far Is Seattle From Atlanta By Plane?*
The flight distance between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is approximately 2,182 miles (3,511 kilometers). This air distance is calculated using Vincenty’s Formula, which is a mathematical algorithm based on an ellipsoidal planet model that uses nautical miles and latitude and longitude points on the Earth’s surface to measure distance.
On the other hand, to travel from Atlanta to Seattle by car, the distance is 2,649 miles (4,263 kilometers).
How Long Is A Flight From ATL To Seattle: Flight Times
The earliest and latest available departure time varies depending on the airline and the day of the week you travel.
Generally, the earliest flight with no stops from Atlanta to Seattle departs at 7:00 am, while the earliest one-stop and two-stop flights depart between 5:00 and 6:30 am.
For those whose travel plans require an evening flight, the latest departure time for non-stop flights is 9:15 pm, while the latest one-stop and two-stop flights leave between 8:00 and 10:30 pm.
That said, first and last flight times and schedules can change, so it’s always best to check with the airline directly to confirm when the earliest flight departs and when the latest flight departs.
ATL To SEA: Aircraft Types
For those who consider aircraft type as part of their aviation plans, there are a number of options available. For non-stop flights offered by Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines, flyers can choose from the following aircraft types:
Delta Airlines
- Boeing 737-900ER
- Boeing 757-300
- Airbus A321neo
Alaska Airlines
- Boeing 737-900 (winglets)
- Boeing 737-800 (winglets)
For flyers looking to book a one-stop or a two-stop flight from Atlanta to Seattle, available aircraft types include, but are not limited to:
- Boeing 737-700
- Boeing 737-800
- Boeing 737-900
- Boeing 737 Max 8
- Boeing 737 Max 9
- Boeing 757
- Boeing 757-300
- Airbus A319
- Airbus 320
- Airbus 321
Plan your trip with my favorite resources!
— Reserve accommodations here: Booking.com
— Book day tours here: Viator.com
— Secure a rental car here: DiscoverCars.com
— Buy an airport lounge membership here: PriorityPass.com
— Purchase travel insurance here: SafetyWing.com
How Much Is A Flight From Atlanta To Seattle?
The average price of Seattle flight tickets depends on a number of factors. Such things that can significantly impact the price of round-trip flights include:
- Airline
- Ticket class
- Number of stops
- Day of the week
- Time of the day
- Month of the year
To give you an idea of pricing, for a direct, non-refundable, basic economy ticket, the average price ranges from $346 to $562. For a one-stop flight based on these same factors, the average price ranges from $251 to $408. And the range for a two-stop flight is $295 to $554.
For the vast majority of flights, ticket prices tend to be highest in May, June, July, and around holidays. In contrast, the winter months tend to be the cheapest time to fly to Seattle from Atlanta.
Cheap Flights From Atlanta To Seattle
For travelers looking for the best prices on flights to the Emerald City from The ATL, here are some tips for finding a good price:
- According to Momondo, the cheapest day to travel from Atlanta to Seattle is Wednesday, while the most expensive day is Saturday.
- Momondo also advises that the cheapest time of day to travel between these cities is 12:00 pm.
- According to Kayak, to get the cheapest flight available, you should book your ticket at least 38 days in advance of your departure date. Doing so can save you approximately 63% on the cost of a flight from Atlanta to Seattle.
- Kayak also advises that the cheapest month to travel between these two popular cities is February, and the most expensive is June.
Flights Atlanta To Seattle: Holiday Travel
Interestingly, direct flights are generally less expensive than one-stop and two-stop flights during holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and the Fourth of July. This is an important thing for travelers to note as there are fewer direct flights offered per day, so booking Seattle flight tickets well in advance is advantageous.
Time Difference: How Far Ahead Is Georgia From Washington?
There is a three-hour time difference between Atlanta and Seattle. Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone, while Seattle is in the Pacific Time Zone, which means Atlanta is three hours ahead. Travelers should make note of this as it may impact such things as hotel check-in times and restaurant reservations on the day of arrival.
Flights From ATL To Seattle: Airport Options
Atlanta has two major airports in the heart of the city: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL) and DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDX). However, ATL is the city’s main airport as PDX is a reliever airport for ATL and does not offer passenger service. You can, however, book a chartered flight from PDX.
In Seattle, there are four nearby airports: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Paine Field (PAE), Boeing Field/King County International (BFI), and Lake Union Spb (LKE). Of these, BFI is the nearest airport to downtown, but SEA is the busiest and most popular. Other airport options include Vancouver International Airport and Portland International Airport, but both of these are several hours away by car.
That said, the only departure airport option available for a flight from Atlanta to Seattle is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, while the only arrival airport option in Seattle is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Travel Tips When Flying Out Of Atlanta
Whether you’re a frequent traveler or embarking on your first trip from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, when it comes to flying out of Atlanta, here are some tips and tricks that can help make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.
- Allow enough time for transportation to the airport. Whether you’re staying in a nearby hotel or have accommodation in a city suburb, Atlanta traffic is very unpredictable and can be the reason you miss a flight. Whenever I travel out of ATL, I always allow an extra 30 minutes (or more!) than I normally would just for travel time to the airport.
- The Atlanta airport is the busiest airport in the United States, so you should also allow enough time to get through security and find your way to the gate. Thankfully, the security system has received an upgrade in recent years to help lines move faster, but long security lines can still tack on a lot more unexpected time than at other airports. Even the Pre-Check lines are long in the Atlanta airport, so don’t count on that to save you a whole lot of time.
- For passengers traveling to Seattle through Atlanta on international flights via airlines such as Aerolineas Argentinas, China Southern, and Qatar Airways, make sure you organize your itinerary to have a substantial amount of time between your flights. Between customs, security, and navigating from international terminals to domestic ones in an airport the size of ATL, you need to allow plenty of extra time.
Plan your trip with my favorite resources!
— Reserve accommodations here: Booking.com
— Book day tours here: Viator.com
— Secure a rental car here: DiscoverCars.com
— Buy an airport lounge membership here: PriorityPass.com
— Purchase travel insurance here: SafetyWing.com
How Long Is A Flight From Atlanta, Georgia To Seattle, Washington: FAQs
If you’re planning to travel to Seattle from Atlanta, the section below is a great place to find answers to frequently asked questions regarding this travel route to help you better plan your itinerary.
HOW MANY HOURS IS IT FROM ATLANTA TO SEATTLE?
The flight duration for a non-stop flight from Atlanta to Seattle averages around 5 hours and 30 minutes.
HOW MANY AIRLINES OFFER NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM ATLANTA TO SEATTLE?
Only two airlines fly direct from Atlanta (ATL) to Seattle (SEA): Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO SEATTLE TO ATLANTA BY PLANE?
Atlanta to Seattle flying times vary depending on the airline and the route taken. A direct flight usually takes around 5 hours, 30 minutes, but adding one or two connecting flights to the itinerary can increase travel time significantly.
HOW FAR OF A FLIGHT IS IT FROM ATLANTA TO WASHINGTON STATE?
The air distance between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) spans around 2,182 miles (3,511 kilometers). This calculation, determined using Vincenty’s Formula, relies on an ellipsoidal planet model and takes into account latitude and longitude coordinates to accurately measure the flight distance.
WHAT IS HALFWAY BETWEEN ATLANTA AND WASHINGTON?
The approximate midway point between Atlanta, Georgia and Seattle, Washington is Murdo, South Dakota. By car, Murdo is roughly 1,400 miles from the Atlanta airport and 1,300 miles from the Seattle airport.
DOES SOUTHWEST FLY FROM ATLANTA TO SEATTLE?
Yes, you can fly to Seattle from Atlanta on Southwest; however, Southwest does not offer direct flights. All flights from ATL to SEA on this airline include one stop or more.
DOES VIRGIN ATLANTIC FLY FROM ATLANTA TO SEATTLE?
No, Virgin Atlantic does not offer flights from Atlanta to Seattle.
DO ATL AND SEA AIRPORTS OFFER CAR RENTALS?
Yes, both ATL and SEA have a variety of car rental options. You can access the Rental Car Center at ATL via a five-minute Sky Train ride from the airport terminal. To get to the rental car facility at SEA, you will need to take a shuttle bus with passenger pickup areas located outside on the baggage claim level.
WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AIRLINES FOR A FLIGHT FROM ATLANTA TO SEATTLE?
According to booking information compiled by Momondo, Alaska Airlines, Frontier, and American Airlines are the most popular United States carriers operating from Atlanta to Seattle.
WHICH AIRPORT IN SEATTLE IS THE SHORTEST DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN?
Boeing Field/King County International (BFI) is the closest airport to downtown Seattle; however, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) takes the crown as the busiest and most popular airport in the region.
How Long Is The Flight To Seattle From Atlanta: The Wrap-Up
Planning a trip from Atlanta to Seattle requires careful consideration of various factors, including flight times, airline options, aircraft type, and more. With the information provided in this comprehensive guide, you now have all the information you need to plan your trip with confidence.
So, whether you’re traveling for business or for pleasure, go on and pack your bags, book your flight, print your boarding pass, and get ready for a stress-free journey from Hotlanta to the Emerald City!
*Resources And Methodology:
To determine air miles, I used the flight time calculator provided by Air Miles Calculator. This calculator uses Vincenty’s Formula (detailed above) to calculate flight distance.
To ascertain the mileage from Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Seattle Tacoma International Airport by car, I used Google Maps.
To determine the average flight time between Atlanta and Seattle, I took a sampling of nonstop flight times provided by various airlines and calculated the average.
To find out which airlines fly from Atlanta to Seattle and the details regarding departing flight times and flight time range for non-stop, 1-stop, and 2-stop flights, I looked at available options for all airlines listed on Skyscanner.
To determine the starting round-trip fares for Seattle flights from Atlanta, I used the pricing information provided by Skyscanner. These sample fares are based on a Monday departure and a Saturday return during the second week of each month and exclude any holiday travel. The sample fares provided are also for non-refundable, Basic Economy travel.
To learn the aircraft types that fly from Atlanta to Seattle, I looked at the details for all the nonstop flights offered by Delta and Alaska Airlines. After that, I looked at a random sampling of aircraft details listed for such airlines as United Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier.
A writer and photographer, Allie Albanese is the founder and curator of Parched Around the World. Here she aims to tell stories about the intersection of food, drinks, cultures, and traditions in places near and far.
Allie holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from American University and, for more than a decade, has worked as a freelance travel, food, and drinks journalist for various publications across the United States and abroad.
When not out exploring the world in search of the next story to tell, she calls her beloved St. Simons Island, Georgia home.
Disclosure: Articles throughout Parched Around the World may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using one of them, I may earn a small commission for sharing items I personally use and love. This comes at no cost to you, but it helps support Parched and allows me to keep this website running! For more information, please see my full Privacy Policy.
Hi Friends, I’m Allie!
I’m an Italian-German-Southerner with a deep passion for food, drinks & travel. After 15 years in NYC as a Certified Sommelier & cocktail creator, plus a stint in New Zealand learning how to make wine, I’m now back home in Georgia where I blend my love for culinary arts & travel into my work as a writer & photographer. Thank you so much for joining me here at Parched where I look forward to exploring the world together one bite, sip & adventure at a time!
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