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DTW → APN
Which side of the plane to sit from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit) to Alpena County Regional Airport (Alpena)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft provides superior views of the Great Lakes coastline, specifically the vast expanse of Lake Huron and the scenic crossing of Saginaw Bay.
Search flights from DTW to APN
Detroit Skyline
Clear views of the Renaissance Center and the downtown core shortly after takeoff.
Lake St. Clair
The sparkling blue waters separating Michigan from Ontario, Canada.
St. Clair River
The busy shipping channel and the Blue Water Bridge connecting Port Huron to Sarnia.
Saginaw Bay
A dramatic crossing over the wide mouth of the bay where it meets Lake Huron.
Tawas Point
The distinct 'hook' of Tawas Point State Park and its historic lighthouse.
Thunder Bay
The approach into Alpena offers stunning views of the National Marine Sanctuary waters.
The right side is essential for morning flights to see the sunrise over Lake Huron. Keep a close watch for large freighters navigating the St. Clair River and the Lake Huron shipping lanes. During the winter, look for interesting ice shelf formations along the Saginaw Bay coastline.
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DTW Complex
A bird's-eye view of the massive Detroit Metropolitan Airport infrastructure upon departure.
Suburban Sprawl
The intricate residential grids and development of the Metro Detroit suburbs and Oakland County.
Oakland Lake District
Hundreds of small, glaciated inland lakes dotting the landscape north of the city.
Flint and Saginaw
Aerial views of the historic industrial centers and urban landscapes of Mid-Michigan.
Huron National Forest
Dense, dark green canopies of protected forest land as you approach Northern Michigan.
Choose the left side for evening flights to enjoy the sunset over the Michigan interior. In the autumn, this side offers the best views of the changing fall colors across the Huron National Forest. It is also better for viewing the city lights of Flint and Saginaw if flying after dark.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 319 km (198 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 32 min
Departure: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Arrival: APN (45.07809829999999, -83.56030273)
Route Type: Domestic
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