The right side offers the more interesting bookends—Amsterdam's canals and coastline on departure, and the Mississippi River plus Minneapolis skyline on arrival—while the long mid-Atlantic and Canadian boreal crossing is scenically similar from either side.
Flight Path
The route crosses Scotland's highlands, the North Atlantic, the southern edge of Greenland's ice sheet or the Labrador coast, then the lake-studded boreal forest of Ontario and Manitoba before descending into Minnesota's lake country.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
RIGHTDeparting Schiphol from the Polderbaan, the aircraft climbs south before banking west toward the UK, putting Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJsselmeer, and the Dutch North Sea beaches on the right side of the cabin. The left side mostly shows flat polder farmland with little to distinguish it.
Landing at MSP
RIGHTOn the descent into MSP from the northeast, the flight path crosses Minnesota's lake country and the Mississippi River before turning to align with the runway, giving right-side passengers a clear view of the Minneapolis skyline and the Twin Cities' lakes. The left side during this turn faces mostly suburban grid streets with fewer standout features.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
Will your flight be in sunlight?
See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Minneapolis. The right side offers the more interesting bookends—Amsterdam's canals and coastline on departure, and the Mississippi River plus Minneapolis skyline on arrival—while the long mid-Atlantic and Canadian boreal crossing is scenically similar from either side.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Schiphol from the Polderbaan, the aircraft climbs south before banking west toward the UK, putting Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJsselmeer, and the Dutch North Sea beaches on the right side of the cabin. The left side mostly shows flat polder farmland with little to distinguish it. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring, IJsselmeer, Dutch North Sea coastline, Haarlem dunes.
What can I see when landing at Minneapolis St Paul International in Minneapolis?
When landing at Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into MSP from the northeast, the flight path crosses Minnesota's lake country and the Mississippi River before turning to align with the runway, giving right-side passengers a clear view of the Minneapolis skyline and the Twin Cities' lakes. The left side during this turn faces mostly suburban grid streets with fewer standout features. Notable sights include: Mississippi River, downtown Minneapolis skyline, Lake Minnetonka, St. Paul riverfront.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Minneapolis?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP) takes 9h 35m.
What does the Amsterdam to Minneapolis flight path pass over?
The route crosses Scotland's highlands, the North Atlantic, the southern edge of Greenland's ice sheet or the Labrador coast, then the lake-studded boreal forest of Ontario and Manitoba before descending into Minnesota's lake country.