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AMS â IAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam) to Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side is superior for this transatlantic crossing, offering the most dramatic views of the Greenland ice sheet, the rugged Labrador wilderness, and potential sightings of the Northern Lights on winter flights.
Scottish Highlands
Views of the rugged peaks and deep lochs of Northern Scotland as the flight heads toward the Atlantic.
Greenland Ice Sheet
An unparalleled perspective of the massive inland ice cap and deep northern fjords carved by glaciers.
Labrador Tundra
The desolate and beautiful frozen lakes and untouched wilderness of Northern Quebec and Labrador.
New England Forests
Dense forest canopies and the jagged rocky coastline of Maine and New Hampshire.
Blue Ridge Mountains
The rolling blue-tinted ridges of the Appalachian range visible during the initial descent into Virginia.
Udvar-Hazy Center
The massive Smithsonian aviation museum located right on the edge of the Dulles airport grounds.
The right side is ideal for photography because it faces away from the sun for most of the trip, providing better lighting for the Greenland glaciers. On winter flights or night departures, this side offers the only chance to see the Aurora Borealis over the North Atlantic. If landing on the northern runways at IAD, you will get an excellent view of the Discovery Space Shuttle housed at the Udvar-Hazy Center.
Dutch Coastline
Aerial view of the intricate polders and the North Sea coast immediately after departure from Schiphol.
English Midlands
Views of the rolling hills and urban centers of central England as the aircraft traverses the UK.
Cape Farewell
The southern tip of Greenland featuring dramatic glacial outflows and floating icebergs.
Newfoundland Coast
The rocky cliffs and deep bays of Canada's easternmost province as you make landfall in North America.
Mid-Atlantic Cities
Distant views of major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and Baltimore during the descent phase.
Chesapeake Bay
The massive estuary system of the Maryland and Virginia coastline appearing just before landing.
The left side will experience significant direct sunlight for the majority of this westward flight, which can make the cabin quite warm and create glare on your photos. It is, however, the best side for seeing the sun set over the horizon if you are on a later afternoon departure. During the final approach into IAD, keep an eye out for the Pentagon and the Washington Monument in the distance to the south.
Distance: 6,207 km (3,857 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 7 hrs 18 min
Departure: AMS (52.308601, 4.76389)
Arrival: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Route Type: International
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