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IAD → HSV
Which side of the plane to sit from Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington) to Huntsville International Carl T Jones Field (Huntsville)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the parallel ridges of the Appalachian Mountains and the lush wilderness of the Shenandoah and Monongahela regions.
Shenandoah National Park
Direct views of the winding Skyline Drive and the dense forest canopy of the central Appalachians.
Ridge-and-Valley Province
Spectacular views of the unique 'corrugated' landscape featuring long, even mountain ridges and narrow valleys.
Monongahela National Forest
Rugged terrain and high-altitude plateaus of West Virginia visible to the west of the flight path.
Redstone Arsenal
On final approach, look for the massive campus of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the Army's missile facilities.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights as the sun begins to set, casting long shadows that accentuate the dramatic Appalachian topography. In autumn, the fall foliage across the West Virginia highlands is particularly vibrant from this vantage point.
Northern Virginia Suburbs
Aerial views of the historic Manassas battlefields and the dense suburbs surrounding the nation's capital.
Blue Ridge Mountains
The eastern front of the Appalachian range, often characterized by a distinct blue haze.
Roanoke Valley
A clear view of the city of Roanoke nestled between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains.
Guntersville Lake
Large reservoir on the Tennessee River visible during the descent into the Huntsville area.
Sit on the left side during morning flights to see the sunrise illuminate the valleys below. During the descent into HSV, this side provides better views of the sprawling Tennessee River as it winds through northern Alabama.
Distance: 957 km (595 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 36 min
Departure: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Arrival: HSV (34.637199401855, -86.775100708008)
Route Type: Domestic
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