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ANC → BRW
Which side of the plane to sit from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (Anchorage) to Wiley Post Will Rogers Memorial Airport (Barrow)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a front-row seat to Denali, the highest peak in North America, followed by the winding Yukon River and the dramatic transition from boreal forest to arctic tundra.
Denali
North America's highest peak is often clearly visible on the left shortly after the initial climb out of Anchorage.
Susitna River
A beautiful glacial river with complex braided channels that weave through the valley floor.
The Yukon River
A massive crossing of one of the longest and most historically significant rivers in the Arctic.
Western Brooks Range
Jagged, remote mountain peaks that mark the gateway to the high Arctic circle.
Arctic Coastal Plain
A vast landscape of polygonal ground patterns and thousands of shimmering thaw lakes.
Choose a window seat on the left (usually Seat A) for the most iconic views of Denali. On morning flights, the sun will be on the opposite side of the aircraft, reducing glare for photography. During the winter months, this side offers an unobstructed view toward the dark western horizon, which is ideal for spotting the Aurora Borealis during night flights.
Chugach Mountains
Sharp, snow-covered peaks that dominate the skyline immediately after takeoff from Anchorage.
Interior Alaska Forest
Extensive views of the vast taiga forest stretching toward the eastern horizon.
Trans-Alaska Pipeline
Occasional sightings of the silver line of the pipeline cutting a straight path through the wilderness.
Beaufort Sea Coastline
The meeting point of the frozen tundra and the Arctic Ocean as you approach the destination.
Utqiagvik Coast
As the plane banks for landing, you can often see the ice leads where traditional whaling occurs.
The right side (usually Seat F) is excellent for catching the sunrise on morning departures. It provides a better perspective of the eastern Brooks Range and the industrial infrastructure of the North Slope as you near the Arctic Ocean. Keep an eye out for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline corridor, which is more frequently visible from this side of the cabin.
Distance: 1,163 km (723 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 33 min
Departure: ANC (61.17440032958984, -149.99600219726562)
Arrival: BRW (71.285402, -156.766008)
Route Type: Domestic
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