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DCA → MSN
Which side of the plane to sit from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Washington) to Dane County Regional Truax Field (Madison)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers an iconic view of the National Mall upon departure from DCA and a stunning perspective of the Madison isthmus and Lake Monona during the final approach into MSN.
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National Mall
Unparalleled views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and White House during the climb out of DCA.
Shenandoah National Park
The rolling peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the lush Shenandoah Valley.
Indianapolis
Distant views of the Indiana state capital skyline as you transit the Midwest.
Lake Monona
Clear views of the Madison shoreline and the Monona Terrace as you prepare for landing.
Sit on the left for the famous River Visual departure; time your flight for sunset to see the Potomac reflect the sky. During landing at MSN, watch for the state capitol dome between the lakes.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesU.S. Capitol
A direct view of the Capitol building and the Library of Congress immediately after takeoff.
Allegheny Mountains
Dense forest cover and rugged ridges across West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Lake Michigan
As the plane turns north, the vast blue expanse of Lake Michigan becomes visible to the east.
Lake Mendota
Views of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and the larger of the two main Madison lakes.
The right side is excellent for catching the sunrise over the Appalachian ridges on early morning flights. Keep an eye out for the Milwaukee skyline if the flight path takes a more northerly route over the Great Lakes.
Book Hotels in MadisonDistance: 1,136 km (706 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 31 min
Departure: DCA (38.8521, -77.037697)
Arrival: MSN (43.13990020751953, -89.3375015258789)
Route Type: Domestic
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