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LWB → IAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Greenbrier Valley Airport (Lewisburg) to Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides the most dramatic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the expansive Shenandoah National Park, including the winding Skyline Drive.
Shenandoah National Park
Sweeping views of the federally protected wilderness area and the peaks of the Blue Ridge.
Skyline Drive
The iconic scenic highway is visible as a winding thread along the very crest of the mountain range.
Massanutten Mountain
A unique, isolated mountain ridge with a distinct internal valley that sits in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley.
Virginia Piedmont
Rolling hills and vast equestrian estates near Middleburg as the plane descends into the DC metro area.
Udvar-Hazy Center
The massive Smithsonian Air and Space Museum hangar is often visible just south of the Dulles runways during final approach.
The right side is the 'scenic' choice for this route. In autumn, the foliage on the Blue Ridge is spectacular from this side. On the final approach to IAD, look for the Manassas National Battlefield Park and the distinct architecture of the Dulles airport terminals.
Monongahela National Forest
Dense, high-altitude hardwood forests and rugged ridges of the Allegheny Mountains immediately after takeoff.
Great North Mountain
A long, continuous mountain ridge that defines the border between West Virginia and Virginia.
Northern Shenandoah Valley
A scenic patchwork of agricultural fields and small historic towns stretching toward the Potomac.
Shenandoah River
The North Fork of the river snakes through the valley floor in tight, silver ribbons.
Choose the left side for morning flights to keep the sun behind you for better photography. It offers excellent views of the deep Allegheny topography and the transition from West Virginia highlands to the Virginia valley floor.
Distance: 284 km (176 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 28 min
Departure: LWB (37.8582992554, -80.3994979858)
Arrival: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Route Type: Domestic
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