About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Portland International (PDX)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Portland. The left side wins overall due to the spectacular Mount Hood approach into PDX, which is one of the most dramatic urban airport approaches in the US. While the right side has the better Amsterdam departure view, the Cascade volcanic scenery on the left during descent — including potential views of the Canadian Rockies and Greenland's ice sheet on the left during the polar routing — edges it out.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Schiphol's most common departure on runway 36C/36L heads north, putting Amsterdam city center and the IJ waterway on your right. You'll also see the patchwork of Dutch polders and greenhouse complexes southeast of the airport as the aircraft banks westward toward the North Sea. Notable sights include: Amsterdam city center and canal ring, IJ waterway and IJmeer, Dutch polder farmland grid, Westland greenhouse district glinting to the south.
What can I see when landing at Portland International in Portland?
When landing at Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX typically lands on runway 28L/28R approaching from the east, meaning the left side faces south toward Mount Hood, which dominates the skyline at around 11,249 feet. On final approach over the Columbia River, the left side also gives a clear view of the Portland metro and the Willamette River confluence. Notable sights include: Mount Hood to the southeast, Columbia River directly below on final, Willamette River and Portland city center, Mount St. Helens visible to the north on the right side.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Portland?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Portland International (PDX) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.
What does the Amsterdam to Portland flight path pass over?
The great circle route from AMS to PDX arcs northward over the North Sea, then across Scotland and Iceland's southern coast, over the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet, across the Davis Strait, then over the Canadian Arctic including Baffin Island and Hudson Bay region, before descending over the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia and crossing into Washington State over the Cascades. Greenland's ice cap and the Canadian Rockies are the most visually dramatic midpoint features.