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DTW → RSW
Which side of the plane to sit from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit) to Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side is preferred for its spectacular views of the Florida Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay and the various barrier islands during the descent into Fort Myers.
Search flights from DTW to RSW
Ohio River Valley
Scenic views of the winding Ohio River marking the border between the Midwest and the South.
Atlanta Outskirts
Fly over the dense canopy of the 'City in a Forest' as you cross into the Deep South.
Tampa Bay
Outstanding views of the bay, the city of St. Petersburg, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Gulf Coast Beaches
White sand stretches from Sarasota down to Venice are clearly visible during the approach.
Charlotte Harbor
The intricate network of islands including Pine Island and Sanibel are visible just before landing.
Opt for an afternoon or evening flight to witness the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico. The right side is particularly strategic for the 'arrival' phase, as the flight path typically hugs the western coast of Florida, providing a much more coastal and aquatic visual experience than the left side.
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Detroit Metro
Aerial views of the Motor City industrial landscape and suburbs immediately after takeoff.
Lake Erie
A clear view of the western basin of Lake Erie and the various islands near Put-in-Bay.
Appalachian Ridges
Rolling green hills and rugged terrain as the flight passes over West Virginia and North Carolina.
Central Florida Parks
On a clear day, you may spot the sprawl of Orlando's major theme parks in the distance to the east.
Lake Okeechobee
Views of Florida's largest freshwater lake and its surrounding agricultural grid during the southern descent.
Early morning flights are ideal for this side to catch the sunrise over the Atlantic horizon. During descent, look for the distinct circular shape of Lake Okeechobee to the southeast, which is a major landmark for pilots entering the South Florida airspace.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 1,749 km (1,087 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 20 min
Departure: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Arrival: RSW (26.53619956970215, -81.75520324707031)
Route Type: Domestic
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