ATL

Best window seat at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Taking offRIGHT

Downtown Atlanta skyline, Buckhead high-rises

LandingRIGHT

Downtown Atlanta skyline, Atlanta's dense suburban sprawl

🛫 Taking Off from Atlanta (ATL)

Best sideRight
WhyDeparting west on runway 27L, the right side of the plane faces north, giving you a good view of downtown Atlanta's skyline and Buckhead as you climb out. The left side mostly shows flat suburban sprawl south of the airport with less to look at.
Look forDowntown Atlanta skyline, Buckhead high-rises, Georgia Dome/Mercedes-Benz Stadium area, Chattahoochee River in the distance
Left window seat view during takeoff from Atlanta (ATL) — Downtown Atlanta skyline, Buckhead high-rises, Georgia Dome/Mercedes-Benz Stadium area, Chattahoochee River in the distanceLeft Side
Right window seat view during takeoff from Atlanta (ATL) — Downtown Atlanta skyline, Buckhead high-rises, Georgia Dome/Mercedes-Benz Stadium area, Chattahoochee River in the distanceRight Side

🛬 Landing at Atlanta (ATL)

Best sideRight
WhyLanding on 26L means approaching from the east and flying west, which puts downtown Atlanta's skyline off to the north side of the aircraft — the right side. You'll get a nice angled view of the city skyscrapers in the distance before the runway environment fills the view.
Look forDowntown Atlanta skyline, Atlanta's dense suburban sprawl, parallel runway complex of ATL, distant Stone Mountain on clear days
Left window seat view during landing at Atlanta (ATL) — Downtown Atlanta skyline, Atlanta's dense suburban sprawl, parallel runway complex of ATL, distant Stone Mountain on clear daysLeft Side
Right window seat view during landing at Atlanta (ATL) — Downtown Atlanta skyline, Atlanta's dense suburban sprawl, parallel runway complex of ATL, distant Stone Mountain on clear daysRight Side
AtlantaPhoto: Connor Scott McManus

Hartsfield-Jackson is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, featuring five parallel east-west runways and seven concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F) connected by an underground train (the Plane Train) and an above-ground walkway (the Atrium). Its sheer scale and constant Delta traffic make it a key connecting point for domestic and international flights across the Americas.

⛰️ Elevation1,027 ft
🛫 Runways5 (09L/27R, 08R/26L, 08L/26R, 09R/27L, 10/28)
✈️ HubDelta Air Lines, Southern Airways Express, Endeavor Air
📍 NearbyPDK 18 miMCN 80 miCSG 83 mi

Connecting at ATL?

Find out if your layover is long enough at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International.

Check layover times →

About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?

At The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta: for takeoff, sit on the Right side; for landing, sit on the Right side. Notable views include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Buckhead high-rises, Georgia Dome/Mercedes-Benz Stadium area, Chattahoochee River in the distance.

What can I see during takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?

When taking off from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing west on runway 27L, the right side of the plane faces north, giving you a good view of downtown Atlanta's skyline and Buckhead as you climb out. The left side mostly shows flat suburban sprawl south of the airport with less to look at. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Buckhead high-rises, Georgia Dome/Mercedes-Benz Stadium area, Chattahoochee River in the distance.

What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?

When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Landing on 26L means approaching from the east and flying west, which puts downtown Atlanta's skyline off to the north side of the aircraft — the right side. You'll get a nice angled view of the city skyscrapers in the distance before the runway environment fills the view. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Atlanta's dense suburban sprawl, parallel runway complex of ATL, distant Stone Mountain on clear days.

What factors affect the best window seat at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International?

The best window seat at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Atlanta (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.