San Francisco (SFO) to Seattle (SEA) is about 680 miles and typically takes 1 h 55 min by air. Some carriers have hubs at both ends, which makes frequent nonstops more likely. Call (800) 490-3234 for live fares.
SFO to SEA at a glance
| Route | San Francisco (SFO) to Seattle (SEA) |
|---|---|
| Distance | about 680 miles / 1,090 km |
| Typical flight time | 1 h 55 min (estimate) |
| Time difference | None |
| Route type | Domestic (U.S.) |
| Airlines with hubs here | Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines |
About the San Francisco to Seattle route
San Francisco to Seattle covers about 680 miles, a mid-length domestic trip that most airlines can serve nonstop or with one easy connection.
Flight time and distance
A typical flight takes about 1 h 55 min gate to gate, with a realistic range of 1 h 35 min to 2 h 20 min depending on wind, routing and aircraft. That is an estimate based on the distance of roughly 680 miles (1,090 km), not a published schedule.
Among the 200 routes in our guides, SFO to SEA is longer than about 16% of them.
For comparison, San Francisco to Denver (SFO to DEN) is about 960 miles, so Seattle is a bit closer away from SFO.
The airports
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
SFO is United's main West Coast hub and a key link to Asia and the Pacific. Full SFO guide.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Sea-Tac is Alaska Airlines' home hub and a growing Delta gateway to Asia, which makes it a useful connecting point for Alaska, Hawaii and Pacific routes. Full SEA guide.
Other airports are worth a look: around San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose; and around Seattle, Portland (PDX). Comparing them can change the price or the travel time to your final destination.
Airlines on this route
Alaska Airlines has a hub at both ends, so it is the most likely to offer frequent nonstop service and easy rebooking on this route.
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines also have a major presence at one of the two airports.
Airlines add and drop frequencies throughout the year. Our agents can check what is actually scheduled on your dates.
Common connection points
Connecting itineraries on this route often look like Delta Air Lines via Salt Lake City (SLC), which adds about 610 miles (89% beyond the direct distance) or Alaska Airlines via Los Angeles (LAX), which adds about 610 miles (90% beyond the direct distance). Choose the connection with the best weather odds for your travel month and leave a comfortable layover; our layover guide explains how much time is realistic.
Best time to fly
Seasonal factors to weigh: at SEA, july through September has the clearest weather and the heaviest demand, including cruise-season traffic to Alaska. At SFO, fog is most common from June through August; fall is often the clearest time to fly.
Ground transport
Getting to and from SFO
BART trains run directly into the International Terminal and reach downtown San Francisco in about 30 minutes.
Getting to and from SEA
Link light rail runs from the terminal to downtown Seattle in roughly 40 minutes without road traffic.
Booking tips
Many travelers on San Francisco to Seattle fly midweek for work, which can make Tuesday and Wednesday busier than you might expect. Compare departures across the day on our cheap-flights checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Seattle?
A typical SFO to SEA flight takes about 1 h 55 min, with a likely range of 1 h 35 min to 2 h 20 min. Actual time depends on wind, routing, aircraft and whether you connect.
How far is Seattle from San Francisco by air?
The great-circle distance between SFO and SEA is about 680 miles (1,090 km).
Which airlines fly from San Francisco to Seattle?
Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines have a major presence at SFO or SEA, and service varies by season. Ask us to check current nonstop and connecting options.
Are there other airports near San Francisco?
Yes. Nearby alternatives include Oakland and San Jose. Comparing them can change both fare and travel time.
When is the best time to book SFO to SEA?
Domestic fares are often competitive one to three months ahead, while international trips benefit from more lead time. Compare several dates, since fares are priced flight by flight.
Explore related routes
More flights involving San Francisco (SFO)
- Boston to San FranciscoBOS to SFO
- Delhi to San FranciscoDEL to SFO
- Houston to San FranciscoIAH to SFO
- Los Angeles to San FranciscoLAX to SFO
- Mumbai to San FranciscoBOM to SFO
- New York to San FranciscoJFK to SFO
More flights involving Seattle (SEA)
- Atlanta to SeattleATL to SEA
- Austin to SeattleAUS to SEA
- Boston to SeattleBOS to SEA
- Detroit to SeattleDTW to SEA
- Dubai to SeattleDXB to SEA
- Houston to SeattleIAH to SEA
Last reviewed October 22, 2026. FlighTicketHub provides general information; confirm details with the airline before you travel.