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MIA → DTW
Which side of the plane to sit from Miami International Airport (Miami) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior coastal experience, featuring the iconic Florida shoreline, the Kennedy Space Center, and a dramatic approach over Lake Erie.
Gold Coast Beaches
Sparkling views of Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach during the initial ascent.
Kennedy Space Center
Iconic launch pads and the massive Vehicle Assembly Building visible near Cape Canaveral.
Atlantic Horizon
The deep blue of the Gulf Stream and the winding network of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Long-distance views of the eastern Appalachian ridges through Virginia and West Virginia.
Lake Erie Coastline
Spectacular views of the Great Lake and the Detroit River during the final descent into DTW.
The right side is ideal for morning flights as the sun rises over the Atlantic, providing perfect lighting for coastal photography. Watch closely about 30 minutes into the flight for the distinctive shape of Cape Canaveral. During the descent into Detroit, you will likely cross over Lake Erie, offering views of the shoreline and commercial shipping vessels.
The Everglades
Vast wetlands and sawgrass prairies stretching west of Miami shortly after takeoff.
Lake Okeechobee
The 'Inland Sea' of Florida, a massive circular freshwater lake visible in the central peninsula.
Great Smoky Mountains
Rolling green peaks and misty valleys of the southern Appalachians during mid-flight.
Ohio Valley Cities
Birds-eye views of major inland hubs such as Cincinnati or Columbus depending on the flight path.
Midwestern Farmland
Intricate geometric patterns of the agricultural heartland as you cross into the Great Lakes region.
Choose the left side for late afternoon or evening flights to catch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico and the Appalachian ridgelines. Keep an eye out for Lake Okeechobee approximately 15-20 minutes after departure from MIA. In winter, the snow-covered fields of Ohio and Michigan provide a striking contrast to the lush Florida greenery seen earlier.
Distance: 1,847 km (1,148 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 28 min
Departure: MIA (25.79319953918457, -80.29060363769531)
Arrival: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Route Type: Domestic
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