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DTW destination photo
AMS destination photo

DTWAMS

Our Recommendation
8.7

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.

Left Side Highlights
8.7
🌃

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.

Right Side Highlights
7.4
🌊

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.

Top Activities in Amsterdam
Route Information

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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