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BKW → IAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Raleigh County Memorial Airport (Beckley) to Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft provides superior views of the Appalachian ridgelines and the iconic crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including the winding Skyline Drive.
Search flights from BKW to IAD
Ridge-and-Valley Province
The stunning geographic phenomenon of long, parallel mountain ridges stretching as far as the eye can see.
Skyline Drive
The famous scenic road following the ridge of Shenandoah National Park, visible as a thin line atop the peaks.
Massanutten Mountain
A unique, isolated mountain ridge standing prominently in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley.
George Washington National Forest
Vast stretches of protected oak and hickory forests covering the slopes of the Blue Ridge.
Udvar-Hazy Center
The massive Smithsonian aviation museum located on the airport grounds, visible just before touchdown.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights as the sun illuminates the eastern slopes of the mountains. Look for the distinct 'U' shape of the Massanutten ridge mid-flight. During autumn, this side offers a spectacular view of the fall foliage along the Blue Ridge peaks.
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Monongahela National Forest
Dense, rugged wilderness areas of West Virginia featuring deep green canopies and steep ravines.
Spruce Knob
Visibility toward the highest point in West Virginia to the north, often dusted with snow in winter.
Shenandoah Valley
The patchwork of farms and historic settlements nestled between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountains.
Potomac River
The upper reaches of the river as it cuts through the mountains toward the Chesapeake Bay.
Loudoun County Suburbs
The rapid transition from rural landscape to the high-tech 'Data Center Alley' near the airport.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. This side offers better views of the Potomac River crossing if the flight path tracks slightly north of the direct line. Watch for the 'Harpers Ferry' area in the distance where the rivers converge.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 345 km (214 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 35 min
Departure: BKW (37.787300109899995, -81.1241989136)
Arrival: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Route Type: Domestic
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