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DTW → ORF
Which side of the plane to sit from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit) to Norfolk International Airport (Norfolk)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the Lake Erie shoreline and a spectacular approach over the Chesapeake Bay and the iconic Bridge-Tunnel system.
Lake Erie Shoreline
Clear views of the Great Lake and the urban sprawl of Cleveland shortly after departure from Detroit.
Allegheny Mountains
Rugged, forested ridges of central Pennsylvania and Maryland providing a texture-rich landscape during cruise.
D.C. Corridor
Distant glimpses of the Potomac River and the outskirts of the D.C. metropolitan area to the East.
Chesapeake Bay
An expansive aerial perspective of the massive estuary and its intricate network of inlets during the descent.
Bay Bridge-Tunnel
A direct view of the world-famous engineering marvel connecting Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore.
Sit on the left for the best sunrise views on early morning flights. For the best photos of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, choose a seat behind the wing to avoid engine glare during the final approach turn into ORF.
Ohio Farmlands
Geometric patterns of the agricultural heartland visible during the initial climb out of Detroit.
Monongahela Forest
Dense green canopies and the rolling peaks of the West Virginia wilderness to the southwest.
Blue Ridge Mountains
The scenic eastern edge of the Appalachians, often covered in a characteristic atmospheric blue haze.
Richmond Metro
Views of Virginia's historic capital city and the winding James River as the flight enters the Tidewater region.
Hampton Roads
The busy shipping lanes and massive naval vessels docked near the mouth of the James River.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. Keep an eye out for the Blue Ridge Mountains in autumn for a tapestry of fall colors across the Appalachian ridges.
Distance: 851 km (529 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 25 min
Departure: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Arrival: ORF (36.89459991455078, -76.20120239257812)
Route Type: Domestic
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