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STL → DEC
Which side of the plane to sit from St Louis Lambert International Airport (St. Louis) to Decatur Airport (Decatur)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the St. Louis skyline, the Gateway Arch during departure, and the dramatic confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers shortly after takeoff.
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Gateway Arch
Catch a glimpse of the iconic 630-foot stainless steel monument as you climb out of the St. Louis area.
The Great Confluence
A spectacular view of the Missouri River merging into the Mississippi River at Jones-Confluence Point.
Lake Lou Yaeger
A prominent recreational lake near Litchfield that serves as a key navigation waypoint.
Decatur Industry
Large-scale views of the ADM and Staley processing plants, marking the arrival into the 'Soybean Capital of the World'.
Lake Decatur
The sprawling reservoir on the Sangamon River visible during the final approach into DEC.
Choose the right side for the best chance to see the St. Louis downtown core. Morning flights provide the best lighting for photography as the sun illuminates the Arch from the east. Pay close attention during the last 5 minutes of the flight; the industrial scale of Decatur's processing plants is most impressive from this side.
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Mississippi River
Aerial views of the winding river boundary between Missouri and Illinois immediately after departure.
Clark Bridge
The distinctive cable-stayed bridge at Alton, Illinois, visible as the flight tracks northeast.
Illinois Heartland
Infinite geometric patterns of corn and soybean fields that define the Midwestern landscape.
Springfield Distant Skyline
On very clear days, the Illinois State Capitol dome may be visible on the western horizon.
The left side is ideal for evening flights to catch the sunset over the Illinois prairies. If departing from runway 30L/R, you will have an excellent vantage point of the river bends north of the city. Use a polarizing filter on your camera to cut through the haze often present over the river valleys.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 177 km (110 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 18 min
Departure: STL (38.748697, -90.370003)
Arrival: DEC (39.83459854125977, -88.8656997680664)
Route Type: Domestic
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