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TPA → BHM
Which side of the plane to sit from Tampa International Airport (Tampa) to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (Birmingham)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides a superior vantage point for the Tampa Bay skyline during departure and the scenic transition from the Florida marshes to the rolling Appalachian foothills in Alabama.
Tampa Bay & Skyway
Aerial perspectives of downtown Tampa and the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge stretching across the bay.
Suwannee River
The dark, tannic waters of the historic Suwannee River cutting through the dense forests of North Florida.
Lake Martin
One of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, recognizable by its jagged shoreline and many islands.
Appalachian Foothills
The rising elevation and dense pine forests that signal the entrance into the Birmingham valley.
Protective Stadium
Views of the modern sports complex located on the north side of downtown Birmingham during the landing sequence.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid direct glare. This side offers the most consistent land-based landmarks, including major Alabama lakes and the dense greenery of the Talladega National Forest.
Pinellas Peninsula
Clear views of Clearwater and the white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico immediately after takeoff.
St. Marks Wildlife Refuge
The expansive coastal marshes and wetlands where the Florida panhandle begins to curve.
Alabama River
The winding path of the Alabama River as it flows through the central part of the state near Selma.
Birmingham Skyline
A close-up view of the downtown Birmingham skyscrapers and the Sloss Furnaces on the final approach.
Sit on the left for evening flights to witness the sunset over the Gulf and the rural Alabama landscape. If the flight approaches BHM from the south, this side often offers a better view of the Vulcan Statue.
Distance: 740 km (460 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 14 min
Departure: TPA (27.975500106811523, -82.533203125)
Arrival: BHM (33.56290054, -86.75350189)
Route Type: Domestic
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