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MCO → DFW
Which side of the plane to sit from Orlando International Airport (Orlando) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Dallas-Fort Worth)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more scenic perspective of the Gulf Coast coastline, the intricate patterns of the Mississippi River Delta, and typically better views of the Dallas city center during the landing sequence.
Florida Nature Coast
View the transition from the sandy beaches of the Gulf to the marshy wetlands of Florida's west coast.
Mississippi River Delta
Witness the massive 'bird-foot' delta where the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
New Orleans Vista
Look for the distinctive curve of the Mississippi River and the Superdome if the flight path tracks slightly south.
Louisiana Wetlands
Intricate patterns of bayous, swamps, and canals forming a labyrinthine watery landscape.
Dallas Skyline
On south-to-north arrival patterns, the left side provides the best view of the Trinity River and the downtown skyscrapers.
For morning flights, the left side will be shaded, making photography much easier without glare. To see the Mississippi Delta, watch the map as you cross the Louisiana border; it is the most geologically interesting feature on this route. During the descent into DFW, keep your camera ready for the Reunion Tower and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge if the plane approaches from the south.
Lake Apopka
One of Florida's largest lakes, visible immediately after departure from Orlando.
Panhandle Forests
The dense canopy of the Apalachicola National Forest stretches across the northern Gulf region.
Mississippi River Crossing
A view of the winding river as it snakes through the agricultural lands of northern Louisiana.
East Texas Piney Woods
The landscape changes from wetlands to the deep green, rolling hills of the Texas timber region.
Lake Ray Hubbard
A large blue reservoir that often serves as a final waypoint for aircraft approaching DFW from the east.
The right side is ideal for catching the sunset on late afternoon flights, though glare can be intense. Watch for the 'Piney Woods' transition as you enter Texas; it marks the shift from the humid south to the drier Great Plains. If landing from the north, this side may offer views of Lake Lewisville and the suburban sprawl of the Metroplex.
Distance: 1,582 km (983 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 7 min
Departure: MCO (28.429399490356445, -81.30899810791016)
Arrival: DFW (32.896801, -97.038002)
Route Type: Domestic
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