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ALB → DCA
Which side of the plane to sit from Albany International Airport (Albany) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Washington)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side is renowned for providing the iconic 'River Visual' approach view into DCA, which offers an unobstructed, close-up aerial tour of the National Mall and D.C. monuments.
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Hudson Valley
Scenic views of the Hudson River winding south shortly after departure from Albany.
Susquehanna River
A wide, majestic crossing of one of the oldest rivers in the world near the PA/MD border.
Baltimore Skyline
Distant views of the Inner Harbor and downtown Baltimore skyscrapers to the east.
National Mall
Breathtaking views of the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial during the final descent.
The White House
A rare top-down perspective of the executive mansion just before touchdown.
Select a window seat on the left (Port) side and try to sit ahead of the wing for an unobstructed view of the National Mall. For the best photography of the monuments, book a flight arriving in the morning when the sun illuminates the white marble from the east. Note that the 'River Visual' approach usually occurs when the wind is from the south.
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Catskill Mountains
Aerial views of the forested peaks and reservoirs in southern New York state.
Appalachian Ridges
The distinctive 'fold and thrust' geological patterns of the Pennsylvania mountains.
Harrisburg
View of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building and the Susquehanna River islands.
Arlington Cemetery
The solemn, geometric white rows of headstones visible just seconds before landing.
The Pentagon
A massive, close-up view of the world's largest office building immediately adjacent to the runway.
The right side is excellent for viewing the geographic ridges of the Appalachians and the massive scale of the Pentagon. On the descent, keep your camera ready for the Pentagon, as it appears very quickly and at a low altitude. This side is typically better for evening arrivals to avoid direct glare from the setting sun.
Book Hotels in WashingtonDistance: 512 km (318 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 51 min
Departure: ALB (42.74829864501953, -73.80169677734375)
Arrival: DCA (38.8521, -77.037697)
Route Type: Domestic
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