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CAE → IAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (Columbia) to Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the Appalachian foothills and the dramatic ridgelines of the Blue Ridge Mountains as the aircraft tracks north-northeast.
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Blue Ridge Mountains
Spectacular views of the undulating mountain range running parallel to the flight path.
Uwharrie National Forest
A vast expanse of ancient woods and hilly terrain in central North Carolina.
Pilot Mountain
A distinctive quartzite monadnock rising sharply above the surrounding Piedmont.
Shenandoah Valley
The picturesque valley between the Blue Ridge and the Allegheny Mountains during descent.
Lake Norman
A large, sprawling reservoir north of Charlotte with intricate shorelines.
Sit on the left side during morning flights to avoid the sun's glare and get crisp photos of the mountains. Keep an eye out for the distinctive rounded peak of Pilot Mountain as you cross from South Carolina into North Carolina. Autumn is the best season for this side to witness the vibrant foliage across the Appalachians.
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Raleigh-Durham Area
View the sprawling urban development and the 'Research Triangle' from above.
Richmond Skyline
The capital city of Virginia is often visible as the plane nears the halfway point.
Potomac River
Large bends of the river as it winds toward the Chesapeake Bay.
Manassas Battlefield
The preserved historic grounds of the Civil War site just south of Dulles.
Piedmont Farmlands
Geometric patterns of agricultural fields across the Virginia countryside.
Choose the right side for sunset flights to enjoy the orange and pink hues reflecting off the Potomac River. While closer to DC, you are unlikely to see the National Mall directly, but clear days may offer a distant silhouette of the Washington Monument during the final approach into IAD from the south.
Book Hotels in WashingtonDistance: 646 km (401 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 5 min
Departure: CAE (33.93880081176758, -81.11949920654297)
Arrival: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Route Type: Domestic
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