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CLT → IAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (Charlotte) to Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a consistent and breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley, offering the most dramatic natural scenery on this short East Coast corridor.
Search flights from CLT to IAD
Uptown Charlotte
Dramatic views of the Bank of America Stadium and the city's concentrated skyscraper core immediately after takeoff from CLT.
Blue Ridge Mountains
The rolling blue-tinted peaks of the Appalachian range parallel the flight path for nearly the entire duration.
Shenandoah National Park
Vast expanses of protected wilderness and the dense forest canopies of the Virginia highlands.
Shenandoah Valley
The fertile, patchwork landscape of the valley floor nestled between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghenies.
Skyline Drive
The iconic winding mountain road can be spotted tracing the ridge lines of the mountains during the descent.
Book an evening flight and sit on the left to witness the sun setting behind the Appalachian peaks. Because this is a short flight at relatively low cruising altitude, details of the mountain ridges are exceptionally clear on cloudless days. Use a polarizing filter on your camera to cut through the blue haze typical of this region.
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Lake Norman
The massive 'Inland Sea' of North Carolina with its intricate shoreline and luxury waterfront homes.
Piedmont Triad
Aerial views of the Greensboro and High Point urban areas as the flight tracks north-northeast.
Manassas Battlefield
The preserved historic grounds of the Civil War battles, visible as large green clearings amidst suburban development.
Potomac River
The wide, meandering river that separates Virginia from Maryland, often visible during the final approach into Dulles.
Sit on the right if you prefer seeing the transition from rural North Carolina to the dense suburban sprawl of Northern Virginia. During certain landing patterns at IAD (approaching from the North), you might catch a distant glimpse of the Washington Monument and Capitol Building on the horizon to the east.
Book Hotels in WashingtonDistance: 517 km (321 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 52 min
Departure: CLT (35.2140007019043, -80.94309997558594)
Arrival: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Route Type: Domestic
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