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YVR → YMM
Which side of the plane to sit from Vancouver International Airport (Vancouver) to Fort McMurray Airport (Fort Mcmurray)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers unparalleled views of the dramatic Coast Mountains immediately after takeoff, followed by the rugged peaks of the northern interior and the best perspective of the Athabasca River on descent.
North Shore Mountains
Dramatic views of The Lions and the rugged peaks rising directly from the Pacific shoreline.
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Stunning glacial expanses and turquoise alpine lakes visible shortly after reaching cruising altitude.
Wells Gray Wilderness
A vast expanse of untouched boreal forest and volcanic plateaus in the BC interior.
Northern Rockies
The jagged limestone peaks of the Canadian Rockies transition into the rolling foothills of Alberta.
Athabasca River
The massive, winding waterway that defines the landscape of the Wood Buffalo region on approach.
Sit on the left for the best sunrise views on early morning flights. Upon departure from YVR, look for the 'Lions' peaks immediately to the north. As you approach Fort McMurray, the left side provides a better view of the massive Athabasca River valley, especially if the plane approaches from the south or west.
Metro Vancouver
Aerial views of the Fraser River delta, Richmond, and the dense urban core of the Lower Mainland.
Mount Baker
On clear days, the massive ice-capped volcanic cone in Washington state is visible to the southeast.
Fraser Canyon
The deep, arid carvings of the Fraser and Thompson rivers as they cut through the interior plateau.
Alberta Foothills
The unique transition where the mountains flatten out into the vast western Canadian prairies.
Boreal Muskeg
The intricate patterns of northern wetlands and black spruce forests characteristic of the YMM region.
The right side is excellent for seeing the 'Big Sky' of the prairies as you cross the BC/Alberta border. During winter months, the low southern sun will illuminate the right side of the aircraft, which is great for photography but can be bright; bring sunglasses. If the flight lands towards the north, you may see the outskirts of the Fort McMurray townsite.
Distance: 1,151 km (715 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 32 min
Departure: YVR (49.193901061999995, -123.183998108)
Arrival: YMM (56.653301238999994, -111.222000122)
Route Type: Domestic
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