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YMM destination photo
YYC destination photo

YMMYYC

Our Recommendation
8.5

Right Side of the Plane

The right side offers the most dramatic scenery, featuring the vast industrial landscape of the oil sands upon departure and the majestic silhouette of the Canadian Rockies during the cruise and approach into Calgary.

Right Side Highlights
8.5
🏗️

Oil Sands Projects

A bird's-eye view of the massive scale of the Athabasca oil sands mining operations northwest of the city.

🌆

Edmonton Distance View

On clear days, the skyline of Alberta's capital is visible to the west as you pass through central Alberta.

🏔️

The Canadian Rockies

A stunning, continuous panoramic view of the jagged, snow-capped mountain peaks lining the western horizon.

🏞️

Bow River Valley

Follow the winding path of the Bow River as it flows from the mountains toward the city during the final descent.

This is the premier side for evening flights to watch the sun set behind the Rocky Mountains. The oil sands are most visible in the first 10 minutes of flight. As you approach Calgary, the mountains become significantly more detailed; have your camera ready about 20 minutes before landing for the best mountain-to-prairie contrast views.

Left Side Highlights
6.8
🌊

Athabasca River

Watch the mighty river wind its way north through the dense boreal forest immediately after takeoff.

🌲

Boreal Forest Canopy

An endless carpet of spruce and pine trees dotted with small lakes and muskeg wetlands.

🌾

Agricultural Grid

As the flight moves south, the forest breaks into the vast, organized patchwork of Alberta's prairie farmland.

🏙️

Calgary Skyline

Depending on the runway approach, catch views of the Bow Tower and the Calgary Tower to the west of the flight path.

The left side is ideal for morning flights to witness the sunrise over the flat prairie horizon. In late summer, keep an eye out for the brilliant yellow canola fields that create a vibrant mosaic across the landscape south of Edmonton. If the plane lands on Runway 17L, you will have a direct view of the airport terminals.

Top Activities in Calgary
Route Information

Distance: 643 km (400 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 4 min

Departure: YMM (56.653301238999994, -111.222000122)

Arrival: YYC (51.113899231000005, -114.019996643)

Route Type: Domestic

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