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MIA → TPA
Which side of the plane to sit from Miami International Airport (Miami) to Tampa International Airport (Tampa)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side of the aircraft offers premier views of the Gulf of Mexico coastline and the stunning entry into Tampa Bay, including the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Gulf Coastline
Panoramic views of the turquoise waters where the Florida peninsula meets the Gulf of Mexico.
Sanibel & Captiva
The distinct crescent shapes of these famous barrier islands are often visible during the climb out or cruise phase.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
A breathtaking aerial perspective of the yellow-cabled bridge spanning the mouth of Tampa Bay.
St. Pete Beach
The long stretches of white sand and the historic pink facade of the Don CeSar hotel.
Tampa Bay Shipping Channels
Watch for large cruise ships and tankers navigating the deep-water channels toward the port.
Book a window seat on the left for the best chance to see the Sunshine Skyway Bridge during the descent. Morning flights are ideal as the sun will be behind the plane, illuminating the coastal colors and reducing glare on the window. On a clear day, you can see the distinct change in water color from the deep Gulf to the shallow bay.
The Everglades
The 'River of Grass' stretches endlessly with its unique mosaic of sawgrass marshes and cypress domes.
Miami Urban Edge
See the sharp, geometric line where the dense Miami metropolitan sprawl abruptly stops at the Everglades protection levee.
Lake Okeechobee
On clear days, Florida's largest freshwater lake is visible as a massive blue expanse to the northeast.
Central Florida Golf Courses
Numerous bright green fairways dot the landscape as you move inland toward the center of the peninsula.
Busch Gardens Tampa
During the final approach, you can often spot the towering roller coasters of the famous theme park.
The right side is perfect for sunset flights, as the sun dips below the horizon over the Gulf, casting long shadows and vibrant orange hues across the Everglades. Watch for the transformation of the landscape from suburban grids to wild wetlands within seconds of takeoff from MIA. Keep an eye out for Lake Okeechobee to the far right during the mid-flight cruise.
Distance: 329 km (204 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 33 min
Departure: MIA (25.79319953918457, -80.29060363769531)
Arrival: TPA (27.975500106811523, -82.533203125)
Route Type: Domestic
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