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DTW → SAT
Which side of the plane to sit from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit) to San Antonio International Airport (San Antonio)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers the most diverse geographic variety, featuring the transition from Midwestern agricultural patterns into the rolling Ozark Mountains and the rugged limestone terrain of the Texas Hill Country on the approach.
Midwestern Tapestry
Intricate geometric patterns of Indiana and Illinois farmlands, particularly vibrant during the summer growing season.
St. Louis Gateway Arch
On clear days with a slightly westerly route, the iconic Gateway Arch and the St. Louis skyline can be spotted in the distance.
The Ozark Mountains
Rolling hills and dense forest cover of the Ozark National Forest, providing a dramatic change in elevation and color.
Arkansas River Valley
The wide, meandering path of the Arkansas River as it cuts through the transition zone between the mountains and the plains.
Texas Hill Country
During the descent into San Antonio, witness the rugged limestone outcrops and scrubland that define the central Texas landscape.
The right side is ideal for sunset flights, offering views of the golden hour over the Ozarks. Watch for the dramatic shift in landscape from the flat Midwest to the rocky Texas plateau. For the best landing views, the right side usually provides a better angle of the San Antonio outskirts and the vast Edwards Plateau as the plane aligns with the runway.
Detroit River & Lake Erie
Spectacular views of the Detroit skyline, Ambassador Bridge, and the western tip of Lake Erie immediately after takeoff.
Ohio River Confluence
Aerial perspective of the winding Ohio River as the flight moves south toward the Tennessee border.
Lower Mississippi River
A view of the massive Mississippi River delta and its distinctive oxbow lakes near the Arkansas-Tennessee line.
East Texas Piney Woods
The dense evergreen canopy of the Piney Woods region as the aircraft crosses into the northeastern corner of Texas.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid direct glare from the sun. This side is also superior for viewing the industrial architecture of the Rust Belt and the expansive river systems of the American South. On clear nights, the lights of Memphis and the sprawling suburbs of North Houston are often visible in the distance.
Distance: 1,954 km (1,214 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 36 min
Departure: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Arrival: SAT (29.533700942993164, -98.46980285644533)
Route Type: Domestic
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