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YUL → YGL
Which side of the plane to sit from Montreal / Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (Montreal) to La Grande Rivière Airport (La Grande Riviere)?
Left Side of the Plane
Flying north from Montreal provides a stunning transition from urban sprawl to the rugged Canadian Shield. The left side is preferred for spectacular views of the sunset over the subarctic landscape and the massive hydroelectric infrastructure near La Grande.
Lake of Two Mountains
Visible immediately after takeoff, showcasing the confluence of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers.
Mont-Tremblant Peaks
An aerial perspective of the highest peaks in the Laurentian range shortly after reaching cruising altitude.
Boreal Forest Expansion
A mesmerizing view of the dense 'green carpet' of the taiga stretching toward the western horizon.
James Bay Lowlands
The terrain flattens into a unique muskeg and peatland landscape as you approach the northern latitudes.
LG-1 Hydroelectric Station
Catch a glimpse of the massive dam on the La Grande River during the final descent into the airport.
Sit on the left for evening departures to enjoy the long subarctic sunset. During winter, this side offers the best chance to see the low sun reflecting off the frozen lakes and snow-covered taiga. If landing from the east, you will have a direct view of the river rapids.
Montreal Skyline
Depending on the runway, you may see the Olympic Stadium and Mount Royal shortly after departure.
Thousand Lake Region
The dense network of glacial lakes typical of the Canadian Shield, appearing like scattered jewels.
Robert-Bourassa Reservoir
One of the world's largest man-made reservoirs, visible as a massive body of water near the destination.
Radisson Townsite
The isolated community serving the hydro-electric complex is often visible on the final approach to YGL.
Saint-Sauveur Valley
Aerial view of the popular ski hills and resort towns north of Montreal during the initial ascent phase.
Morning flights are best on this side to catch the sunrise. Keep your eyes peeled for the 'Giant's Staircase' spillway near Radisson, which is a spectacular engineering sight visible during the descent. This side is also excellent for spotting the scale of the Robert-Bourassa reservoir.
Distance: 950 km (590 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 35 min
Departure: YUL (45.4706001282, -73.7407989502)
Arrival: YGL (53.62530136108398, -77.7042007446289)
Route Type: Domestic
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