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IAG → PIE
Which side of the plane to sit from Niagara Falls International Airport (Niagara Falls) to St Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (St. Petersburg)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is superior for this route because it offers an immediate, breathtaking view of Niagara Falls and the Buffalo skyline upon departure, followed by the sprawling Appalachian ridgelines and a scenic coastal descent into the Florida peninsula.
Niagara Falls & Buffalo
Incredible views of the American and Horseshoe Falls immediately after takeoff from IAG as the plane climbs south.
Appalachian Ridges
Spectacular views of the parallel 'Fold and Thrust' belt mountains stretching through Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Piedmont Cities
Bird's eye views of major East Coast inland hubs like Charlotte, North Carolina as you traverse the Piedmont region.
Carolina Lowcountry
Observe the intricate patterns of the coastal plains and marshlands of the Carolinas and Georgia.
Florida Space Coast
As the flight tracks south-southwest, you can often see the Atlantic coastline and the Cape Canaveral area in the distance.
Central Florida Lakes
Stunning views of the countless lakes and theme park corridors around the Orlando area during the initial descent.
Choose a window seat forward of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of Niagara Falls during the steep climb-out. For evening flights, this side avoids the direct glare of the setting sun. During the final descent into PIE, look for the sprawling urban grid of the Tampa-St. Petersburg metro area.
Lake Erie Coastline
Views of the eastern tip of Lake Erie and the industrial heritage sites along the Buffalo waterfront.
Allegheny Plateau
Overlook the dense, rolling forests of the Allegheny National Forest and the deep river valleys of West Virginia.
Smoky Mountains
On clear days, the distant blue-hued peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains are visible to the far west.
Gulf of Mexico
As the plane nears St. Petersburg, the sparkling turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico become prominent.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Depending on the landing pattern into PIE, look for the iconic yellow cables of the Skyway Bridge spanning Tampa Bay.
Barrier Islands
View the white-sand keys and barrier islands like Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island during the final approach.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights if you want to see the sun reflecting off the Gulf of Mexico. For the best view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, watch closely during the last 10 minutes of flight, as the approach into PIE often crosses directly over or near the mouth of Tampa Bay.
Distance: 1,723 km (1,071 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 18 min
Departure: IAG (43.1072998046875, -78.94619750976562)
Arrival: PIE (27.91020012, -82.68740082)
Route Type: Domestic
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