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DTW → AMS
Which side of the plane to sit from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is superior for transatlantic flights from Detroit to Amsterdam, primarily due to the potential for viewing the Aurora Borealis over the North Atlantic and the spectacular glaciers of Southern Greenland if the flight path tracks northward.
Detroit/Windsor Skyline
Aerial views of the Detroit River and the illuminated skyline of both Detroit and Windsor immediately after takeoff.
St. Lawrence River
Gliding over the expansive St. Lawrence Seaway and the rugged wilderness of Northern Quebec.
Aurora Borealis
High probability of witnessing the Northern Lights during the dark middle hours of the flight over the North Atlantic.
Greenland Ice Sheet
On northerly tracks, the jagged fjords and massive ice caps of Southern Greenland are visible in the twilight.
Scottish Highlands
First landfall often features the dramatic lochs and mountains of Northern Scotland or the Hebrides.
Dutch Coastline
A view of the North Sea's complex wave patterns and the long sandy beaches of the Netherlands' northern coast.
Keep your window shade open during the middle of the flight and dim your cabin screen to let your eyes adjust; this increases your chances of spotting the Aurora Borealis. If the flight departs in the evening, the Greenland crossing usually occurs during 'nautical twilight', providing enough light to see the ice textures but dark enough for stars.
The Maritimes
Distal views of Nova Scotia and the Gulf of St. Lawrence during the initial oceanic transition.
Atlantic Sunrise
An unobstructed view of the sun rising over the horizon, often casting vibrant pink and orange hues across the cloud deck.
North Sea Shipping
Dense clusters of cargo ships and tankers navigating the English Channel and North Sea approach lanes.
Offshore Wind Farms
Massive arrays of wind turbines standing in the North Sea as you approach the Dutch coast.
Dutch Polders
The iconic, perfectly geometric reclaimed land and canal systems of the Netherlands during the final descent.
The right side is perfect for those who enjoy a classic sunrise. Be prepared with sunglasses about 2 hours before landing. During the final approach into Schiphol, the right side often provides a better view of the intricate Dutch polders and the outskirts of Haarlem, depending on which of the five main runways is active.
Distance: 6,324 km (3,930 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 7 hrs 26 min
Departure: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Arrival: AMS (52.308601, 4.76389)
Route Type: International
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