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PIT → TPA
Which side of the plane to sit from Pittsburgh International Airport (Pittsburgh) to Tampa International Airport (Tampa)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic views of the Pittsburgh skyline during departure and provides a prime perspective of the Appalachian ridges and the urban landscape of Tampa during the final approach.
Pittsburgh Skyline
A clear view of the 'Golden Triangle' where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers form the Ohio River shortly after takeoff.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Dramatic views of the rolling, often mist-covered peaks of the Appalachian range through Virginia and North Carolina.
Charlotte Metro
The sprawling urban development of the Queen City and its surrounding suburban lakes like Lake Norman.
Okefenokee Swamp
The massive, dark-water wilderness area straddling the Georgia and Florida border, visible as a vast green expanse.
Downtown Tampa
Breathtaking views of the city's skyscrapers and the Port of Tampa if the aircraft enters a northern landing pattern.
Choose the left side for morning flights to keep the sun behind the aircraft, reducing glare. This side is also better for spotting the dense Appalachian ridges. Keep your camera ready during the first 5 minutes and the last 10 minutes of the flight for the best urban photography.
Ohio River Valley
The winding path of the Ohio River as it snakes west through the industrial heartland and rural hills.
Monongahela Forest
Deep, untouched forest canopies and rugged plateaus of West Virginia stretching toward the horizon.
Atlanta Perimeter
Distant views of the Atlanta skyline and the busy Hartsfield-Jackson airport traffic if the flight path tracks westward.
The Nature Coast
The scenic transition where the Florida marshlands meet the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico near Crystal River.
Tampa Bay & St. Pete
A sweeping view of the St. Petersburg peninsula and the sparkling waters of Tampa Bay during the descent.
The right side is ideal for evening flights to catch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico as you descend into Florida. Watch for the 'Nature Coast' transition where land turns into a patchwork of islands and emerald water. It offers a more serene, coastal perspective compared to the urban focus of the left side.
Distance: 1,408 km (875 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 53 min
Departure: PIT (40.49150085, -80.23290253)
Arrival: TPA (27.975500106811523, -82.533203125)
Route Type: Domestic
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