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MCI → TPA
Which side of the plane to sit from Kansas City International Airport (Kansas City) to Tampa International Airport (Tampa)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides a more dramatic visual journey, transitioning from the rugged Ozark plateaus to the stunning turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the Florida Gulf Coast.
Ozark Mountains
The rugged, forested terrain of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas provides deep green textures and winding valleys.
Memphis Skyline
Depending on the specific airway, you can often spot the city of Memphis nestled along the river bend.
Gulf of Mexico
The dramatic change in scenery as the aircraft moves from the Florida panhandle over the emerald green waters.
Clearwater Barrier Islands
Stunning aerial views of the narrow, white-sand barrier islands that separate the Gulf from the Intracoastal Waterway.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Look for the iconic yellow cables of this massive bridge spanning the mouth of Tampa Bay during the descent.
This is the best side for late afternoon or evening flights to catch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. The approach into TPA often involves a turn over the water, providing a panoramic view of the coastline. Seasonal tip: in winter, the clearer air provides much better visibility of the distant shoreline transition from the Florida Panhandle down to the bay.
Mississippi River
Watch the massive waterway carve through the landscape as you cross from Missouri into the Deep South.
Georgia Greenery
Expansive views of the lush, rolling forests and dense canopy typical of the northern Georgia landscape.
Florida Lake District
A unique perspective of the thousands of small, circular limestone sinkhole lakes in Central Florida.
Downtown Tampa
Excellent views of the urban core, the Hillsborough River, and the port area during the final approach phase.
The left side is preferable for morning flights to avoid direct sun glare. It offers a great view of the inland sprawl and the dense urban layout of the Tampa Bay area as you land. Watch for the 'St. Louis Arch' in the distance shortly after takeoff if the flight path stays slightly north.
Distance: 1,687 km (1,048 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 15 min
Departure: MCI (39.2976, -94.713898)
Arrival: TPA (27.975500106811523, -82.533203125)
Route Type: Domestic
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