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ALB → MCO
Which side of the plane to sit from Albany International Airport (Albany) to Orlando International Airport (Orlando)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side typically provides superior views of the Atlantic coastline, major estuaries like the Chesapeake Bay, and the iconic barrier islands of the Carolinas and Florida.
NYC and Long Island
Distant views of the Manhattan skyline and the length of Long Island shortly after departure from the Hudson Valley.
Chesapeake Bay
A sprawling view of the United States' largest estuary and the impressive Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel near Norfolk.
The Outer Banks
The thin, sandy ribbon of North Carolina's barrier islands stretching into the Atlantic Ocean.
South Carolina Coastline
Aerial perspectives of Hilton Head Island and the intricate marshlands surrounding Charleston.
Kennedy Space Center
During the descent into Orlando, look for the massive VAB building and launch pads at Cape Canaveral.
Choose the left side for morning flights to enjoy the sunrise over the Atlantic. This side is consistently better for spotting the transition from the rocky Northeast coast to the sandy beaches of the South. Keep your camera ready as you cross the Virginia/North Carolina border for the best coastal photography.
Appalachian Foothills
Rolling green ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains visible to the west throughout the mid-Atlantic portion of the flight.
D.C. Metro Area
Views of the Potomac River and the suburban sprawl of the capital region depending on the specific air corridor.
Piedmont Farmlands
The geometric patterns of agricultural fields across Virginia and North Carolina.
Florida Lake District
Thousands of small, circular freshwater lakes that dot the Central Florida landscape during the final approach.
Orlando Attractions
On the final descent, you may spot the Orlando Eye or distant silhouettes of the major theme park icons.
The right side is the preferred choice for sunset views on late afternoon or evening flights. It offers a better look at the inland terrain and the vast network of lakes in Central Florida. If the plane approaches MCO from the west, you will have a front-row seat to the downtown Orlando skyline.
Distance: 1,729 km (1,074 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 18 min
Departure: ALB (42.74829864501953, -73.80169677734375)
Arrival: MCO (28.429399490356445, -81.30899810791016)
Route Type: Domestic
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