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PBI → TPA
Which side of the plane to sit from Palm Beach International Airport (West Palm Beach) to Tampa International Airport (Tampa)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior perspective of the sprawling Florida Everglades and the most dramatic approach into Tampa Bay, frequently featuring the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge and the Gulf of Mexico's turquoise coastline.
The Everglades
Witness the vast 'River of Grass' and the intricate canal systems of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
Lake Okeechobee
A stunning view of the southern rim of Florida's largest freshwater lake and the Herbert Hoover Dike.
Gulf Coast Beaches
Panoramic views of Anna Maria Island and the white sand beaches of the Suncoast during the descent.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
The golden cables of this architectural marvel are often visible when the aircraft banks over Tampa Bay.
Egmont Key
A secluded island at the mouth of the bay featuring a historic lighthouse and ruins.
Choose the left side for afternoon flights to enjoy the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. For the best views of the Sunshine Skyway, hope for a landing on Runway 1L, which usually requires the plane to fly north over the bay. Keep your window shade open immediately after takeoff from PBI to see the transition from urban sprawl to the wild Everglades.
West Palm Beach
Aerial views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic coastline immediately after takeoff.
Central Florida Groves
The geometric patterns of orange groves and sugar cane fields in the state's agricultural heartland.
Lake Okeechobee North
A view of the northern marshes and the mouth of the Kissimmee River flowing into the lake.
Downtown Tampa
A clear view of the city skyline, the Riverwalk, and the Sparkman Wharf district during the final approach.
Raymond James Stadium
The home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, identifiable by the pirate ship inside the end zone.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. It offers the best view of the Tampa city skyline if the wind requires a landing from the north (Runway 19). It is also the side to be on if you want to spot the many small lakes dotting the central Florida landscape.
Distance: 280 km (174 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 28 min
Departure: PBI (26.68320083618164, -80.09559631347656)
Arrival: TPA (27.975500106811523, -82.533203125)
Route Type: Domestic
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