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TPA → STL
Which side of the plane to sit from Tampa International Airport (Tampa) to St Louis Lambert International Airport (St. Louis)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers iconic views of the Gulf of Mexico beaches upon departure and typically provides the premier vantage point for the St. Louis skyline and the Gateway Arch during the final approach.
Search flights from TPA to STL
Clearwater Beach
Pristine white sands and emerald waters of the Gulf coast visible shortly after takeoff from TPA.
Nashville Skyline
Aerial views of Music City and the winding Cumberland River during the mid-flight cruise.
Land Between the Lakes
The massive Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley recreation area spanning the KY/TN border.
Mississippi River
The winding 'Mighty Mississippi' as you transition from Illinois into Missouri airspace.
The Gateway Arch
The iconic 630-foot silver monument and downtown St. Louis are usually visible on the left when landing north.
Book a left-side window seat for evening flights to catch the sunset over the Mississippi River. During the landing phase at STL, pilots often bank in a way that provides a clear, unobstructed view of the Arch and Busch Stadium on the left side. Keep your camera ready as soon as you cross the Illinois-Missouri border.
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Downtown Tampa
A direct view of the urban core, Sparkman Wharf, and the Port of Tampa during the initial climb.
Talladega Forest
Dense green canopies and rolling hills of the national forest in central Alabama.
Huntsville
Views of 'Rocket City' and the sprawling Tennessee River valley in northern Alabama.
Ohio River Crossing
The dramatic geographic boundary between Kentucky and southern Illinois.
Midwestern Farmland
Perfectly geometric green and gold crop circles and fields across southern Illinois.
The right side is superior for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. It provides an excellent perspective of Tampa's city layout immediately after takeoff. Watch for the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers roughly 30 minutes before landing, which is often more visible from this side of the aircraft.
Book Hotels in St. LouisDistance: 1,400 km (870 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 52 min
Departure: TPA (27.975500106811523, -82.533203125)
Arrival: STL (38.748697, -90.370003)
Route Type: Domestic
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