Seattle (SEA) to Charlotte (CLT)

Distance, flight time and the air traffic controllers who guide you.

Quick answer

Seattle (SEA) to Charlotte (CLT) is 2,274 miles in a straight line, about 5h 03m gate to gate. Your flight is handed between 11 air traffic control facilities along the way.

2,274miles
1,976nautical miles
3,660kilometers
~5h 03mestimated flight time
+3 htime change on arrival
Eastinitial heading

Who handles your flight

Every airliner is passed from one air traffic control facility to the next. On the most direct path, these are the teams that guide you, in order. Weather and traffic can send a flight through other centers, so your actual flight may differ a little.

  1. SEATowerSeattle-Tacoma Tower (SEA)Clears you for takeoffThank them →
  2. S46TRACONSeattle TRACON (S46)Guides the climb outThank them →
  3. ZSECenterSeattle ARTCC (ZSE)Takes over at cruising altitudeThank them →
  4. ZLCCenterSalt Lake City ARTCC (ZLC)Keeps you separated en routeThank them →
  5. ZDVCenterDenver ARTCC (ZDV)Keeps you separated en routeThank them →
  6. ZMPCenterMinneapolis ARTCC (ZMP)Keeps you separated en routeThank them →
  7. ZKCCenterKansas City ARTCC (ZKC)Keeps you separated en routeThank them →
  8. ZAUCenterChicago ARTCC (ZAU)Keeps you separated en routeThank them →
  9. ZIDCenterIndianapolis ARTCC (ZID)Keeps you separated en routeThank them →
  10. ZTLCenterAtlanta ARTCC (ZTL)Starts your descentThank them →
  11. CLTTowerCharlotte Douglas Tower (CLT)Clears you to landThank them →

Flying the other way

Charlotte (CLT) to Seattle (SEA)

CLT → ZTL → ZID → ZAU → ZKC → ZMP → ZDV → ZLC → ZSE → S46 → SEA

About the airports

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

Seattle, WA

Codes: SEA · KSEA

Time zone: Pacific

Control tower: Seattle-Tacoma Tower (SEA)

Thank the tower →

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte, NC

Codes: CLT · KCLT

Time zone: Eastern

Control tower: Charlotte Douglas Tower (CLT)

Thank the tower →

More routes

All flight routes →

How we figure this out

Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, the shortest path over the curved Earth. Flight time assumes an average airliner speed of about 500 mph plus about 30 minutes for taxi, takeoff and landing. The list of facilities follows the same path, using each airport's tower and approach control and the FAA's en route center boundaries.

Say thanks to the controllers who got you there. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and every post is checked before it goes up.

Find your airport or ATC facility →

Common questions

How long is the flight from Seattle (SEA) to Charlotte (CLT)?

About 5h 03m gate to gate for the 2,274-mile trip. Flying east, you often pick up a tailwind, so it can be a little shorter.

How far is Seattle (SEA) from Charlotte (CLT)?

2,274 miles (1,976 nautical miles, 3,660 km) in a straight line. The path your flight actually takes is usually a little longer.

Which air traffic controllers handle a flight from Seattle (SEA) to Charlotte (CLT)?

Usually 11 facilities: Seattle-Tacoma Tower (SEA), Seattle TRACON (S46), Seattle ARTCC (ZSE), Salt Lake City ARTCC (ZLC), Denver ARTCC (ZDV), Minneapolis ARTCC (ZMP), Kansas City ARTCC (ZKC), Chicago ARTCC (ZAU), Indianapolis ARTCC (ZID), Atlanta ARTCC (ZTL) and Charlotte Douglas Tower (CLT). You can thank each one on its own wall at Thank ATC.

Is there a time change between Seattle (SEA) and Charlotte (CLT)?

Yes. Charlotte (CLT) is 3 hours ahead of Seattle (SEA).

Updated October 2026

Ready to thank someone?

Free, about 30 seconds, no sign-up. Donating is always optional.

Leave a thank-you