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ATL → PHL
Which side of the plane to sit from Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta) to Philadelphia International Airport (Philadelphia)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most iconic landmarks, including a distant view of the Appalachian Mountains, a prime perspective of the Washington D.C. skyline, and the best angle for the Philadelphia Center City skyline during the final approach.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Visible to the west shortly after takeoff, showing the rolling peaks of the southern Appalachian range.
Lake Lanier
A massive, winding reservoir in northern Georgia seen within the first 15 minutes of flight.
Washington D.C. Landmarks
On clear days, the National Mall, Washington Monument, and US Capitol are visible as the plane passes over Northern Virginia.
Baltimore Inner Harbor
A clear view of the dense urban waterfront and M&T Bank Stadium as you cross into Maryland.
Philadelphia Skyline
As the flight aligns for landing on Runways 27L or 27R, the skyscrapers of Center City appear prominently out the left window.
Book a window seat on the left (Port) side for the highest concentration of urban landmarks. For the best photography of Washington D.C., choose a flight departing around midday to have the sun behind you or overhead, avoiding harsh glare from the eastern horizon.
Chesapeake Bay
The massive expanse of the bay is clearly visible, showing intricate patterns of the Maryland and Virginia coastlines.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge
The impressive twin spans connecting Sandy Point to Kent Island can be seen from high altitude.
Delaware Bay
The wide mouth where the Delaware River meets the Atlantic, often filled with large cargo ships.
Jersey Shoreline
On clear days, the distant white sands of the New Jersey coast and the Atlantic City skyline are visible to the east.
Port of Philadelphia
Large industrial cranes and shipping infrastructure along the Delaware River visible during the final descent.
The right side is superior for water enthusiasts. If you are on an early morning flight, the sun will rise on this side, providing beautiful golden hour light over the Chesapeake Bay, though it may be too bright for comfortable viewing without sunglasses.
Distance: 1,072 km (666 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 26 min
Departure: ATL (33.6367, -84.428101)
Arrival: PHL (39.87189865112305, -75.24109649658203)
Route Type: Domestic
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