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DSM → ATL
Which side of the plane to sit from Des Moines International Airport (Des Moines) to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the Mississippi River confluence and a more reliable perspective of the iconic Atlanta skyline during the standard approach into ATL.
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St. Louis Skyline
Depending on the specific airway, you may see the Gateway Arch and the St. Louis metropolitan area in the distance.
Land Between the Lakes
A stunning view of the massive Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake reservoirs on the Kentucky-Tennessee border.
Tennessee River
Observe the dramatic S-curves of the Tennessee River as it meanders through the Tennessee Valley.
Downtown Atlanta
When landing on runways 26, 27, or 28, the right side provides a panoramic view of the Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown skyscrapers.
The right side is the 'city side' for the Atlanta approach. If the airport is landing to the west (typical in fair weather), this side offers an incredible view of the skyline. Watch for the sun in the afternoon as you are flying southeast.
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Mississippi River Crossing
Catch the upper Mississippi River as the flight leaves Iowa and enters the Illinois-Missouri border region.
Ohio River Valley
View the winding Ohio River near the border of Illinois and Kentucky, surrounded by fertile agricultural plains.
Appalachian Foothills
As you descend into Georgia, the terrain shifts into the rolling, forested foothills of the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Stone Mountain
On eastern arrivals into ATL, look for the massive isolated monadnock rising out of the Georgia pines.
Sit on the left for early morning flights to avoid the direct southern sun. This side is also excellent if the flight path tracks further east, offering views of the Cumberland Plateau.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 1,196 km (743 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 36 min
Departure: DSM (41.53400039672852, -93.66310119628906)
Arrival: ATL (33.6367, -84.428101)
Route Type: Domestic
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