Left side wins both ends of this flight. During the cruise at 30,000+ feet heading northeast, left-side passengers also get the better angle over the Appalachian ridges of western Virginia and Pennsylvania, watching the parallel folded ridges of the Ridge and Valley province pass below before the terrain flattens into the Lake Erie plain.
Flight Path
The flight crosses the southern Appalachians and Blue Ridge foothills of northern Georgia, then the Ridge and Valley Appalachians of eastern Tennessee and Virginia with their distinctive parallel folded ridges, then the Allegheny Plateau of western Pennsylvania gradually flattening toward the Lake Erie lowlands. The Ohio River valley may be visible in the far distance to the west. No major lakes until Lake Erie appears on descent into Buffalo.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Buffalo Niagara International (BUF)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to Buffalo. Left side wins both ends of this flight. During the cruise at 30,000+ feet heading northeast, left-side passengers also get the better angle over the Appalachian ridges of western Virginia and Pennsylvania, watching the parallel folded ridges of the Ridge and Valley province pass below before the terrain flattens into the Lake Erie plain.
What can I see during takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
During takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Left side for the best views. ATL's primary departure runways (8L/8R heading east, or 27L/27R heading west) mean left-side passengers get views over downtown Atlanta's skyline during the climbing turn northward. The city's dense urban core with its distinctive highway interchange spaghetti and Midtown towers is clearly visible on the left as the aircraft banks northeast. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain (visible to the east as a distinctive granite dome), Chattahoochee River corridor, Lake Allatoona to the northwest.
What can I see when landing at Buffalo Niagara International in Buffalo?
When landing at Buffalo Niagara International (BUF), sit on the Left side for the best views. BUF typically lands on runway 23 (heading southwest) or runway 05 (heading northeast). On approach from the south on runway 23, left-side passengers get a clear view over Lake Erie's eastern shoreline and the city of Buffalo's waterfront and downtown. The Niagara River corridor leading toward Niagara Falls is visible to the north on the left side during the descent. Notable sights include: Lake Erie eastern shoreline, Buffalo downtown waterfront, Niagara River, Grand Island.
How long is the flight from Atlanta to Buffalo?
The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Atlanta to Buffalo flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the southern Appalachians and Blue Ridge foothills of northern Georgia, then the Ridge and Valley Appalachians of eastern Tennessee and Virginia with their distinctive parallel folded ridges, then the Allegheny Plateau of western Pennsylvania gradually flattening toward the Lake Erie lowlands. The Ohio River valley may be visible in the far distance to the west. No major lakes until Lake Erie appears on descent into Buffalo.