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IAD → AUH
Which side of the plane to sit from Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington) to Abu Dhabi International Airport (Abu Dhabi)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side of the aircraft offers spectacular views of the Greenland ice sheet, the rugged mountains of Scandinavia, and the dramatic peaks of the Caucasus region before descending into the Arabian Peninsula.
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Greenland Ice Sheet
On the great circle route, witness the vast, crystalline expanses and deep fjords of Greenland's southern coast.
Norwegian Fjords
Spot the intricate, jagged coastline of Norway as the flight crosses into Northern Europe.
Caucasus Mountains
Fly over the snow-capped border between Europe and Asia, featuring some of the highest peaks in the region.
Zagros Mountains
View the striking, folded geological formations and deep canyons of western Iran.
Abu Dhabi Approach
Often provides a clear view of the Yas Island developments and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during the final descent.
Choose the left side for potential sightings of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) during the winter months while crossing the North Atlantic. Most flights depart IAD in the evening, meaning Greenland is often visible during the 'second morning' of the flight. Keep your window shade down during the middle of the flight to avoid glare on the ice, but open it as you approach the Black Sea for dramatic mountain transitions.
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Catch views of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic coastline immediately after departure from Dulles.
British Isles
Depending on the jet stream, you may see the southern coast of Ireland and England's rolling hills.
Aegean Sea
Vibrant blue waters and scattered islands are visible if the route tracks further south toward Turkey.
Tigris and Euphrates
Observe the historic 'Cradle of Civilization' and the green fertile crescent amidst the surrounding desert.
Dubai Skyline
On clear days during the descent, the Burj Khalifa and Dubai's skyscraper corridor are visible in the distance to the north.
The right side is excellent for seeing the desert landscapes of Iraq and Kuwait. Since the flight travels eastbound, the sun will be on the right side (south) for much of the journey; keep this in mind if you are sensitive to heat or bright light. During arrival, the right side often gets a better view of the expansive 'Empty Quarter' desert if the approach pattern circles from the south.
Book Hotels in Abu DhabiDistance: 11,387 km (7,076 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 13 hrs 24 min
Departure: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Arrival: AUH (24.433000564575195, 54.651100158691406)
Route Type: International
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