How do you plan KLAX to KSEA in a flight simulator?

In a general flight simulator, plan KLAX to KSEA by generating an IFR route for the exact aircraft and forecast, then choosing a runway-compatible KLAX SID, West Coast airway or RNAV segment, and KSEA STAR. Validate every procedure against matching charts, calculate reserves and an alternate, then load and cross-check the FMS.

This workflow applies to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, X-Plane, FSX and Prepar3D. The simulator planner, aircraft avionics and charts should use matching navigation data where possible; otherwise, valid procedures may be missing or appear under different revision numbers.

What does a realistic KLAX to KSEA route look like?

A realistic airline route normally runs north-west from Los Angeles through California and Oregon before joining a Seattle arrival from the south. The direct distance is about 830 NM, while an operational route is commonly around 850–950 NM after departure, arrival and weather-related routing are included.

With compatible navigation data, one possible route family uses a SUMMR-family departure towards STOKD, continues direct to SERFR, follows Q11 towards KINLO, and joins a HAWKZ-family arrival. Its en-route core may resemble STOKD DCT SERFR Q11 KINLO.

That is a planning example, not a route to enter blindly. Procedure suffixes, transitions, airway availability and ATC preferences change between navigation cycles. If Q11 or either endpoint is absent from the aircraft database, generate a route supported by that database rather than creating unverified fixes.

How do you build and load the KLAX–KSEA flight plan?

1. Select the exact aircraft profile. Use the correct engine, weight and performance profile. Fuel calculated for one 737, A320 or business-jet variant should not be copied to another.
2. Collect the forecast weather. Check winds and conditions at KLAX, KSEA and the alternate, plus upper winds along the coast. This determines runway direction, cruise level and fuel.
3. Generate an IFR route. Our aircraft, route and fuel workflow for SimBrief explains the relevant planning fields and export process. Treat the generated route as a proposal that still needs checking.
4. Validate every segment. Confirm that the SID serves the departure runway, its transition connects to the first en-route fix, the airway contains the stated entry and exit fixes, and the STAR suits the expected arrival direction. Our chart-reading walkthrough for SIDs, STARs and approaches covers this process.
5. Choose the cruise level. KLAX to KSEA has a generally westbound magnetic course, so an even flight level is normally appropriate under US IFR direction rules. FL340 or FL360 may suit a loaded narrow-body, but winds, weight, airspace and ATC can justify another level.
6. Plan all fuel components. Include taxi, trip, contingency, alternate, final reserve and any extra fuel needed for weather, holding or runway changes.
7. Load and compare the route. Import a compatible format or use our manual GPS and FMS entry checklist. Compare the cockpit legs page against the operational plan rather than assuming a successful import means the route is correct.

Complex add-on aircraft often maintain their own flight-management route even when the simulator’s world-map planner contains a plan. Check both if using built-in ATC, because the ATC route and the aircraft’s active FMS route can diverge.

Which KLAX SID and KSEA STAR should you choose?

Choose procedures from the forecast runway and ATC clearance, not from a saved route’s runway assignment. KLAX commonly operates westbound from the 24 and 25 runway complexes, but easterly operations occur, so a fixed west-flow SID is not universally valid.

The departure procedure must list the selected runway and connect cleanly to the planned first en-route fix. KLAX also has two parallel runway complexes and lengthy ground routings, so include the departure runway in the taxi brief; our detailed KLAX runway, procedure and taxi notes provide the airport-specific context.

At Seattle, select an arrival compatible with operations on runway 16 or 34 as forecast or assigned. A STAR brings the aircraft into the terminal area but does not by itself complete the instrument approach. Check how its final transition joins the chosen ILS or RNAV approach, including any charted vectors.

Do not automatically delete every route discontinuity. A discontinuity after a vector leg may be intentional; retain it when simulating ATC vectors, or connect it only through the cleared approach transition when flying without ATC.

Distance, flight time, fuel and alternates

The planned KLAX–KSEA distance is usually about 850–950 NM, with a narrow-body commonly taking around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes airborne and roughly 2.5–3 hours gate to gate. Winds, runway configuration, routing and aircraft performance can move the result outside those ranges.

There is no safe universal fuel figure for this route. Calculate fuel from the loaded aircraft profile and forecast rather than using another simmer’s quantity. A strong quartering headwind, a low-altitude restriction or an extended arrival can materially increase trip fuel.

KPAE, KBFI and KPDX may be alternate candidates, but each requires suitable weather, approaches, runway performance and facilities for the aircraft. A nearby airport can share KSEA’s poor weather, while Portland offers greater geographical separation at the cost of considerably more alternate fuel.

Why does an imported KLAX–KSEA route fail?

Imported routes usually fail because the planner and aircraft use different navigation data, or because procedures have been attached to incompatible runways and transitions.

Before departure, the active legs should show a continuous and plausible north-west track, with no accidental duplicate fixes or unbriefed gaps. Keep the runway-dependent portions amendable until the weather and clearance are known.