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SCE → DTW
Which side of the plane to sit from University Park Airport (State College Pennsylvania) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is superior for this short hop, offering an immediate view of the Penn State campus and Beaver Stadium upon takeoff from SCE, followed by a high-probability view of the Detroit skyline and the Detroit River during the approach into DTW.
Beaver Stadium
An aerial view of the massive Penn State football stadium and the sprawling university campus.
Lake Erie Shoreline
Depending on the approach, the vast blue expanse of Lake Erie and the Cedar Point area may be visible.
Detroit Skyline
The GM Renaissance Center and downtown Detroit skyscrapers are frequently visible during the descent.
Ambassador Bridge
The international border crossing connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, over the Detroit River.
Windsor, Ontario
A clear view of the Canadian border city directly across the water from Detroit.
Sit on the right for the best chance to see the Penn State campus shortly after takeoff. On the approach to DTW, if the plane lands facing south or west, you will get a spectacular view of the Detroit River and the international border. For the best photos of the skyline, aim for a seat in front of the wing to avoid engine exhaust glare.
Nittany Valley Ridges
Distinctive parallel ridges and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains visible immediately after departure.
Allegheny Plateau
Dense forest cover of the Moshannon and Elk State Forests stretching across western Pennsylvania.
Toledo View
As the flight descends, the city of Toledo and the mouth of the Maumee River often appear to the south.
Ohio Farmland
A patchwork quilt of agricultural fields and wind farms throughout the transition from PA to MI.
Choose the left side for evening flights to catch the sunset over the horizon. It offers a great perspective of the ridge-and-valley province if the flight path takes a more southerly route over the Pennsylvania wilds.
Distance: 483 km (300 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 48 min
Departure: SCE (40.8493003845, -77.84870147710002)
Arrival: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Route Type: Domestic
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