How Long Is the Flight from Atlanta to Seattle, Washington?

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Seattle, Washington, the first thing you probably want to know is: how long is the flight from Atlanta to Seattle? Here’s a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown so you know what to expect from takeoff at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to landing in the Pacific Northwest.

Typical Flight Time from Atlanta to Seattle

For a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Seattle:

• Average flight time:5 to 5.5 hours in the air
• Typical gate-to-gate time:About 5.5 to 6 hours, allowing for taxiing on the runway in Atlanta and in Seattle
• Distance: Roughly 2,200–2,300 miles (about 3,500–3,700 km)

So if you’re leaving from ATL on a direct flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), you can plan on around 6 hours total from boarding to arrival under normal conditions.

Why the Time Can Vary

Your exact travel time can shift slightly based on:

• Winds and jet stream (westbound flights can sometimes take a bit longer)
• Runway and taxi delays at busy ATL
• Routing and air traffic control constraints
• Weather in either Atlanta or Seattle

Most travelers experience a total in-air time very close to the 5-hour mark, with the rest of the time spent on the ground.

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights from Atlanta to Seattle

Many travelers from Atlanta prefer nonstop flights to Seattle, but sometimes you’ll find cheaper options with one stop.

Nonstop Flights

Typical nonstop Atlanta–Seattle options:

• Airports:
  • Departure: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Arrival: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• Approximate nonstop time:5–5.5 hours in the air

Nonstop flights are ideal if you:

• Want to maximize time in Seattle
• Are traveling with kids, older adults, or tight schedules
• Prefer to avoid the stress of changing planes

One-Stop or Connecting Flights

If you book a flight with a connection, your total travel time usually becomes:

• Rough estimate:7 to 10+ hours door-to-door, depending on:
  • Length of your layover
  • Whether your connecting airport is on the way (for example, a hub city in the Midwest or West) or out of the way

Common connection patterns from Atlanta might include stops in cities like Denver, Dallas, Chicago, or Minneapolis, though specific routes change over time.

Key takeaway:
If you care most about shortest total flight time from Atlanta to Seattle, look for nonstop flights out of ATL.

At-a-Glance: Atlanta to Seattle Flight Time

Here’s a simple summary you can reference when planning:

*Total flight time includes boarding, taxiing, and layover (if any), but not your drive or train ride to ATL.

How Long Your Trip Really Takes from Atlanta

The flight time is only part of your travel day. From an Atlanta perspective, consider your door-to-door time:

1. Getting to Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

   • Driving from Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead:
     • About 20–35 minutes without heavy traffic
     • Can be longer during rush hours, major events, or bad weather
   • MARTA to the Airport Station:
     • The Red and Gold lines both go directly to Airport Station, connected to the domestic terminal
     • Travel time from Midtown or Downtown is often 20–30 minutes on the train

2. Arriving at the airport before your flight

   • For a domestic flight from Atlanta to Seattle, many travelers aim to arrive about 2 hours before departure
   • During high-traffic periods (holidays, major conferences, peak summer), some allow 2–2.5 hours

3. Flight time Atlanta to Seattle

   • Nonstop: about 5–5.5 hours in the air

4. After landing in Seattle

   • Time to deplane, pick up bags, and reach ground transportation: 30–60 minutes is typical
   • Travel into central Seattle from SEA can range from 20–45+ minutes, depending on traffic and your transportation choice

🧮 Example same-day timeline from Atlanta:

• Leave home in Midtown Atlanta: 11:30 a.m.
• Arrive at ATL: ~12:00 p.m.
• Depart ATL nonstop at: 2:00 p.m.
• Land in Seattle (SEA): ~4:30 p.m. local time (Seattle is 3 hours behind Atlanta)
• Reach downtown Seattle: ~5:15–5:45 p.m.

In this example, your door-to-door trip from Atlanta to Seattle takes around 8 total hours, even though the flight time itself is about 5 hours.

Time Zone Differences: Atlanta vs. Seattle

Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
Seattle is in the Pacific Time Zone (PT).

• Time difference: Seattle is usually 3 hours behind Atlanta
• Example: When it’s 3:00 p.m. in Atlanta, it’s 12:00 p.m. in Seattle

Because of this time shift, your clock-based travel time can feel shorter:

• If you leave Atlanta at 2:00 p.m. ET and the flight lasts about 5 hours, you may land around 4:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. PT, which looks like only 2–2.5 hours later on the clock.

When planning from Atlanta:

• Keep the time zone difference in mind for events, hotel check-ins, and meeting times in Seattle
• Double-check whether flight times are listed in local time (they almost always are)

Best Times of Day to Fly from Atlanta to Seattle

If you’re in Atlanta and want to optimize your trip experience, flight time is only part of the equation. The time of day you fly can affect how your day unfolds.

Morning Departures from Atlanta

Pros:

• Higher chance of on-time departures compared to later flights
• You can often arrive in Seattle by late morning or early afternoon local time, giving you more usable time upon arrival
• Helpful if you have evening plans in Seattle the same day

Cons:

• You may need to leave home very early if you’re far from ATL

Midday and Afternoon Departures

Pros:

• Convenient if you’re coming from other parts of metro Atlanta (Alpharetta, Marietta, Decatur, etc.) and want to avoid rush-hour traffic on I-75, I-85, or I-285
• Can feel more relaxed if you’re not a morning person

Cons:

• Risk of delays can increase slightly as the day goes on
• You may arrive in Seattle later in the evening local time

Red-Eye or Late-Night Options (Seattle to Atlanta)

When traveling back from Seattle to Atlanta, you may see overnight “red-eye” flights that land early in the morning in Atlanta. These can be useful if you want to maximize your last day in Seattle, but they change the way you plan your sleep and recovery time.

Planning Around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Since this trip is Atlanta-based, it helps to understand your home airport:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Location: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• General info line: (404) 209-1700 (main airport information)

For flights to Seattle, you’ll most likely depart from:

• The Domestic Terminal at ATL
• One of the connected concourses (A, B, C, D, T, or others depending on your airline and gate assignment)

Getting to ATL from Around Metro Atlanta

Common options:

• MARTA Rail:

  • Airport Station is directly connected to the terminal
  • Useful if you’re staying or living in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near MARTA lines

• Rideshare / Taxi:

  • Frequent and easy from most parts of Atlanta, but always allow extra time during rush hours

• Driving and Parking:

  • On-site parking at ATL and various off-airport lots along Camp Creek Parkway and surrounding areas
  • Check parking options ahead of time if you plan to leave your vehicle while you’re in Seattle

All of these choices impact your overall trip time, but not your actual in-air flight time.

Tips to Make the Atlanta to Seattle Flight Feel Shorter

Even though the actual flight from Atlanta to Seattle is about 5 hours, it can feel long if you’re unprepared. A few Atlanta-specific planning tips:

• Factor in Atlanta traffic:
  Heavy traffic on I-75, I-85, or the Downtown Connector can add stress at the start of your trip. Leaving earlier keeps your focus on the flight, not the clock.

• Pack smart for a 5-hour flight:

  • Light snacks (once past TSA)
  • Headphones or earplugs
  • A light layer or travel jacket—planes can feel cool, even if Atlanta is hot and humid

• Use the time zone shift to your advantage:
  You’ll “gain” three hours when you land in Seattle, which can make the day feel more manageable even after a long flight.

• Hydrate and move periodically:
  Stretching or walking the aisle when allowed can help the flight feel shorter and more comfortable.

Quick Answer: How Long Is the Flight from Atlanta to Seattle?

For someone in Atlanta, Georgia traveling to Seattle, Washington:

• Nonstop flight time in the air: usually about 5 to 5.5 hours
• Typical gate-to-gate time: around 5.5 to 6 hours
• With travel to ATL, check-in, and getting from SEA into Seattle, expect around 7.5–9 hours door-to-door from most parts of metro Atlanta.

If you choose a connecting flight, your total travel time will typically be several hours longer, often in the 7–10+ hour range, depending on layovers.

For the fastest and most straightforward trip from Atlanta to Seattle, a nonstop flight from Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) to Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) is your best option.