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DTW → CAE
Which side of the plane to sit from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (Columbia)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the rugged Appalachian Plateau and a spectacular approach over the expansive Lake Murray before landing in Columbia.
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Ambassador Bridge
The international crossing between Detroit and Windsor visible during the initial climb.
Appalachian Plateau
Deeply dissected plateaus and winding river valleys through the heart of West Virginia.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Stunning vistas of the iconic blue-tinted peaks of the southern Appalachian range.
Lake Murray
A massive reservoir that dominates the landscape west of Columbia during the final descent.
Sit on the right for the most scenic approach into CAE; Lake Murray is the highlight of the trip. Afternoon flights offer the best lighting for the mountain valleys and water reflections.
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Detroit Skyline
Clear views of the Renaissance Center and the Detroit River waterfront shortly after takeoff.
Lake Erie Shoreline
Aerial perspective of the Ohio coastline and the surrounding industrial port cities.
Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians
Unique linear mountain formations visible through Virginia and West Virginia.
Piedmont Plateau
The transition from mountain ranges to the rolling agricultural hills of the Carolinas.
Morning flights are best for the left side to minimize solar glare. Keep an eye out for the distinct geometric patterns of the ridge-and-valley province in the central part of the journey.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 940 km (584 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 34 min
Departure: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Arrival: CAE (33.93880081176758, -81.11949920654297)
Route Type: Domestic
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