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RIC â CLT
Which side of the plane to sit from Richmond International Airport (Richmond) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (Charlotte)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior mix of urban landmarks and natural beauty, featuring a distant silhouette of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a prime look at Lake Norman during the descent into Charlotte.
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Richmond Skyline
A quick glimpse of the Virginia state capital and its historic downtown district.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Distant but visible mountain ranges of the Appalachians to the west on clear days.
Piedmont Triad
The combined urban sprawl of Greensboro and Winston-Salem visible mid-flight.
Lake Norman
The 'Inland Sea' of North Carolina with its complex, branch-like shorelines.
CLT Terminal
A high-altitude view of the massive American Airlines hub operations during the final turn.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to witness the sunset over the Blue Ridge silhouette. Watch for Lake Norman about 10-15 minutes before landing; it is the most prominent landmark on this side. If taking off to the south from RIC, the right side usually offers a better view of the Richmond city layout.
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James River
Aerial views of the historic, winding river during the initial climb out of Richmond.
Kerr Lake
The massive reservoir system straddling the Virginia and North Carolina state line.
Uwharrie National Forest
Dense green canopies of the ancient, rolling hills in central North Carolina.
Charlotte Uptown
The gleaming skyscrapers of the banking district visible during southern landing patterns.
Sit on the left for morning flights to keep the sun behind the aircraft for better photography. This side provides the best view of the 'V' shaped Kerr Lake and Lake Gaston. During a southern approach into CLT, the left side often yields a stunning profile view of the Uptown skyline.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 412 km (256 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 41 min
Departure: RIC (37.50519943237305, -77.3197021484375)
Arrival: CLT (35.2140007019043, -80.94309997558594)
Route Type: Domestic
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