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SAT → BWI
Which side of the plane to sit from San Antonio International Airport (San Antonio) to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (Baltimore)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior view of the dramatic Appalachian mountain ridges and the meandering Ohio River, with potential distant views of the Washington D.C. monuments during the descent.
Ozark National Forest
Rolling green hills and dense forest cover as you pass over northern Arkansas.
Mississippi River Crossing
A birds-eye view of the massive waterway dividing the central and eastern United States.
Ohio River Valley
The winding river defining the borders of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Appalachian Ridges
Distinctive geological 'waves' of the mountains as the plane crosses West Virginia.
Washington D.C. Skyline
On clear days, the monuments and the Potomac River are often visible to the north during the final descent into BWI.
For morning flights, sit on the left to avoid the direct southern sun glare. This side is also better for spotting the winding path of the Ohio River and the dramatic tectonic folds of the Appalachians. If BWI is landing to the west, you may see the Baltimore Inner Harbor during the final turn.
East Texas Piney Woods
The transition from the scrubland of San Antonio to the dense pine forests of the East.
Arkansas River Delta
Oxbow lakes and agricultural patterns along the southern river plains.
Blue Ridge Mountains
The southern extension of the Appalachians, known for their characteristic blue haze.
Shenandoah Valley
The fertile valley floor nestled between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghenies.
Chesapeake Bay
Vast views of the estuary and the Maryland coastline during the final approach.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to catch the golden hour over the Chesapeake Bay. Keep your eyes peeled as you descend into BWI; if the flight path approaches from the south, you will get an excellent view of Annapolis and the massive spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
Distance: 2,262 km (1,406 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 1 min
Departure: SAT (29.533700942993164, -98.46980285644533)
Arrival: BWI (39.1754, -76.668297)
Route Type: Domestic
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