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PUJ → IAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Punta Cana International Airport (Punta Cana) to Washington Dulles International Airport (Washington)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior vantage point for viewing the turquoise reefs of the Dominican Republic, the scattered islands of the Bahamas, and the intricate coastline of the Mid-Atlantic US as you approach Dulles.
Punta Cana Shoreline
Crystal clear turquoise waters and luxury resorts lining the white sand beaches of the Dominican Republic right after takeoff.
The Bahamas
Aerial views of the Great Abaco and surrounding cays showing deep blue trenches meeting shallow sandbanks.
Outer Banks
The thin, fragile barrier islands of North Carolina, including Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke, visible as the plane nears the coast.
Chesapeake Bay
A massive view of the US East Coast's largest estuary, showing the intricate network of rivers and inlets in Virginia.
Potomac River Valley
Winding river views and the sprawling green landscape of Northern Virginia as the flight prepares for its final descent.
Choose the left side for morning flights to stay in the shade and avoid the harsh glare of the sun over the Atlantic. This side is consistently better for seeing the US coastline and the geographic transition from the Caribbean to the American mainland. Keep your camera ready about 30 minutes before landing for the best shots of the Outer Banks.
Atlantic Horizon
Uninterrupted views of the deep Atlantic Ocean, often featuring dramatic cloud formations and sunlight reflecting off the water.
Caicos Bank
Distal views of the incredibly bright, shallow waters near the Turks and Caicos islands depending on the day's flight path.
Norfolk Naval Base
The world's largest naval station may be visible to the west as the plane crosses the Virginia coastline.
Virginia Beach
The high-rise hotels and long boardwalk of the popular coastal destination as you cross from sea to land.
Dulles Tech Corridor
Views of the data centers and growing urban sprawl of Loudoun County during the final approach to IAD.
The right side is ideal for early morning departures to watch the sunrise over the open ocean. While it offers fewer land-based landmarks than the left, it provides great views of the shipping traffic entering the Chesapeake Bay. Be aware that afternoon flights on this side will face direct, intense sunlight.
Distance: 2,430 km (1,510 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 14 min
Departure: PUJ (18.567399978599997, -68.36340332030001)
Arrival: IAD (38.94449997, -77.45580292)
Route Type: International
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