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BWI â RSW
Which side of the plane to sit from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (Baltimore) to Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the Atlantic coastline, the sprawling Chesapeake Bay, and the distinctive geography of the Florida peninsula, including Lake Okeechobee.
Chesapeake Bay
Immediately after takeoff, witness the vast estuary and the iconic Chesapeake Bay Bridge connecting Annapolis to the Eastern Shore.
Outer Banks
Mid-flight often tracks the North Carolina coastline, providing views of the thin barrier islands and the Atlantic's turquoise shelf.
Space Coast
On a more easterly track, you can spot Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center launch pads along the Florida coast.
Lake Okeechobee
As you descend into Southwest Florida, the massive 'Inland Sea' of Florida is visible as a giant dark circle to the south.
Choose the left side for morning flights to keep the sun behind you for better photography. Watch for the dramatic color change in the water as you cross into the Florida Keys territory near the end of the flight.
Washington D.C. Skyline
If the flight path banks west after BWI, look for the Potomac River and the distant monuments of the capital city.
Piedmont Forests
Enjoy the deep green canopy of the Carolinas and Georgia's inland forests and rolling hills.
Okefenokee Swamp
Near the Georgia-Florida border, look for the dark, mirror-like waters and dense wetlands of this massive prehistoric swamp.
Charlotte Harbor
On the final approach to RSW, you will see the intricate network of islands and mangroves north of Fort Myers.
The right side is ideal for afternoon or evening flights to experience the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico during the final approach. If you prefer avoiding the heat of the sun during midday flights, this side is generally shaded.
Distance: 1,483 km (921 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 59 min
Departure: BWI (39.1754, -76.668297)
Arrival: RSW (26.53619956970215, -81.75520324707031)
Route Type: Domestic
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