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BRD → MSP
Which side of the plane to sit from Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (Brainerd) to Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain Airport (Minneapolis)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides the most iconic views of Minnesota's 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' landscape, specifically the massive Mille Lacs Lake, and offers a better angle of the St. Paul skyline during the final descent.
Mille Lacs Lake
Visible shortly after departure, this is one of the largest lakes in Minnesota and a major focal point of the flight.
Rum River
Follow the winding path of the Rum River as it flows south from Mille Lacs through scenic wetlands.
St. Paul Skyline
On clear days, the skyscrapers of downtown St. Paul and the State Capitol are visible as you enter the metro area.
Mississippi River Crossing
A great view of the river as the aircraft aligns for its final approach into the MSP airport complex.
MSP Terminal 1
Excellent views of the main Lindbergh Terminal and the hub of Delta Air Lines operations during touchdown.
For the best photography, choose a morning flight when the sun is in the east, illuminating the lake surfaces. Mille Lacs is the primary landmark to watch for roughly 10-15 minutes into the flight. During the winter, look for ice fishing 'villages' on the frozen lake surfaces.
Brainerd Lakes Region
Dense forest and smaller resort lakes like Gull Lake are visible immediately after takeoff from BRD.
Downtown Minneapolis
A stunning perspective of the IDS Center and the Minneapolis skyline as you descend into the Twin Cities.
US Bank Stadium
The massive, dark geometric shape of the Vikings' stadium stands out clearly from the urban grid.
Lake Minnetonka
To the southwest of the approach path, the complex bays and islands of Minnetonka are often visible.
Chain of Lakes
See the urban park system including Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet just before landing.
The right side is best for late afternoon flights as the setting sun highlights the Minneapolis skyline. This side offers the best views of the iconic downtown architecture. Keep your camera ready as soon as you cross the I-694 loop, as the descent into MSP is very quick from that point.
Distance: 183 km (114 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 18 min
Departure: BRD (46.39830017, -94.13809967)
Arrival: MSP (44.882, -93.221802)
Route Type: Domestic
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