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YXX → YYC
Which side of the plane to sit from Abbotsford Airport (Abbotsford) to Calgary International Airport (Calgary)?
Left Side of the Plane
While both sides offer stunning mountain vistas, the left side provides superior views of the high-alpine glaciers and the dramatic limestone peaks of the central Canadian Rockies.
Coast Mountains
Jagged snow-capped peaks immediately north of the Fraser Valley visible shortly after takeoff.
Columbia River
An aerial view of the massive river winding through the Monashee and Selkirk Mountains near Revelstoke.
Rogers Pass
Famous mountain pass in Glacier National Park known for extreme snowfall and steep, avalanche-prone slopes.
Banff National Park
Breathtaking views of the turquoise glacial lakes and the iconic limestone massifs of the Continental Divide.
Calgary Skyline
Often visible on the left side during northern approaches into YYC, showing the Bow and Brookfield Place towers.
Aim for a window seat ahead of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. The best light for photography is during early morning flights when the sun illuminates the north-facing glaciers. This side is particularly dramatic in winter when the snow pack is at its peak.
Mount Baker
The massive, snow-covered stratovolcano in Washington State dominates the southern horizon just after departure.
Okanagan Valley
Clear views of the long, narrow lakes near Kelowna and the surrounding high-altitude desert plateaus.
Upper Arrow Lake
Deep blue waters nestled between the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges during the mid-flight cruise.
Mount Assiniboine
Known as the 'Matterhorn of the Rockies,' this distinct pyramid-shaped peak is a major landmark near the border.
Kananaskis Country
Rolling foothills and sharp ridges marking the final transition from the high mountains to the Alberta prairies.
Choose this side if you want the most dramatic view of Mount Baker shortly after takeoff. Evening flights are spectacular on this side as the setting sun casts long shadows across the eastern slopes of the Rockies, creating high-contrast photos.
Distance: 639 km (397 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 4 min
Departure: YXX (49.02529907226562, -122.36100006103516)
Arrival: YYC (51.113899231000005, -114.019996643)
Route Type: Domestic
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