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YVR → AMS
Which side of the plane to sit from Vancouver International Airport (Vancouver) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides the most dramatic views of the Baffin Island fjords and the vast, shimmering Greenland ice sheet, which are the highlights of this high-latitude route.
Coast Mountains
Immediate views of the rugged North Shore Mountains and the Garibaldi Provincial Park wilderness upon departure.
Baffin Island
Spectacular sightings of the jagged Penny Ice Cap and deep glacial fjords along the Nunavut coastline.
Greenland Ice Sheet
A mesmerizing, endless expanse of white ice punctuated by deep blue meltwater lakes and massive outlet glaciers.
Frisian Islands
The delicate chain of islands along the Dutch and German coast visible during the descent into Schiphol.
Window shades should be kept up during the middle of the flight to catch Greenland; at these latitudes in summer, it may never get fully dark. Use a polar tracking app to time your view of the Baffin coastline approximately 3-4 hours after departure.
Vancouver Skyline
Excellent views of downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, and the Burrard Inlet during the initial climb.
Canadian Rockies
Clear views of the snow-capped peaks of the Alberta Rockies as the flight path heads northeast.
Davis Strait Icebergs
Look down for massive icebergs drifting south from the Arctic Circle into the Labrador Sea.
Dutch Polders
The iconic geometric patterns of reclaimed land, canals, and windmills as the plane approaches Amsterdam.
The right side is ideal for catching the sunrise over the Atlantic. If the flight arrives via the Polderbaan (Runway 18R/36L), the right side offers a fantastic panoramic view of the airport infrastructure and the surrounding Dutch countryside.
Distance: 7,707 km (4,789 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 4 min
Departure: YVR (49.193901061999995, -123.183998108)
Arrival: AMS (52.308601, 4.76389)
Route Type: International
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