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IAD โ CLT
Which side of the plane to sit from Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (Charlotte)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft offers a front-row seat to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian chain, providing more dramatic topographical contrast than the eastern plains.
Shenandoah National Park
Continuous views of the rolling green peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the hazy Shenandoah Valley.
Skyline Drive
The famous scenic roadway can be seen snaking along the highest ridges of the mountain range below.
Smith Mountain Lake
A large, jagged reservoir known as the 'Jewel of the Blue Ridge' located just south of Roanoke, Virginia.
Pilot Mountain
The unmistakable quartzite monadnock with its distinct rounded peak, standing solitary near the NC border.
Lake Norman
North Carolina's largest man-made lake, signaling the start of the final approach into the Charlotte area.
The right side is the undisputed winner for afternoon or sunset flights, as the sun sets behind the mountains. Watch for Pilot Mountain about 20-30 minutes before landingโit is the most recognizable natural landmark on this route.
Northern Virginia Suburbs
Aerial views of the sprawling DMV metropolitan area and the dense urban grid of Manassas shortly after takeoff.
Lake Anna
A massive, clear reservoir in central Virginia that is easily identifiable by its distinct 'fish' shape from high altitude.
Richmond Horizon
On clear days, the skyline of Virginia's capital city is visible to the east as the flight progresses south.
Charlotte Motor Speedway
During the descent into CLT, the massive oval of one of NASCAR's most iconic tracks is often visible to the east.
Choose the left side for morning flights to keep the sun behind you and avoid glare. If the airport is landing toward the south, this side provides a better view of the Uptown Charlotte skyscrapers during the final turn.
Distance: 517 km (321 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 52 min
Departure: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Arrival: CLT (35.2140007019043, -80.94309997558594)
Route Type: Domestic
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