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ALB → IAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Albany International Airport (Albany) to Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the rugged Appalachian mountain ranges, the winding Susquehanna River, and the transition from the rolling Catskills to the lush Shenandoah Valley during the descent into Virginia.
Catskill Mountains
Early flight views of the forested peaks and reservoirs of the Catskill range in southern New York.
Susquehanna River
Crossing the broad, winding Susquehanna River as it cuts through the Pennsylvania countryside.
Appalachian Ridges
Spectacular views of the 'Fold and Thrust' belt, featuring long, parallel mountain ridges of the Blue Ridge range.
Shenandoah Valley
The fertile, expansive valley between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghenies becomes visible during the descent.
Loudoun Horse Country
Low-altitude views of sprawling estates and equestrian farms in rural Virginia near Dulles.
Afternoon flights provide the best lighting for the Appalachian ridges on the right. Look for the distinctive white domes of the Udvar-Hazy Center (Smithsonian Air and Space Museum) on the right side just seconds before landing at IAD.
Hudson River Valley
Aerial perspective of the historic Hudson River as the plane climbs south from Albany.
Delaware Water Gap
A glimpse of the famous notch where the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian ridge.
Chesapeake Bay Horizon
On clear days, the shimmering waters of the northern Chesapeake Bay are visible to the far southeast during descent.
Northern Virginia Suburbs
Detailed views of the master-planned communities of Reston and Ashburn just before touchdown.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the rising sun. During the final approach to IAD, you may catch a distant view of the Washington Monument or the Capitol building if the flight path tracks slightly east.
Distance: 523 km (325 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 52 min
Departure: ALB (42.74829864501953, -73.80169677734375)
Arrival: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Route Type: Domestic
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