The right seat wins on takeoff with the Atlanta skyline and Stone Mountain views, and while the left seat is better on landing into Dallas, the departure scenery is more dramatic and memorable. Right seat passengers also get views of the Mississippi River crossing and the Texas Piney Woods transition during cruise.
Flown ATL to DAL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Atlanta to Dallas is 719 miles (1,158 km), a flight of about 2 hours 10 minutes.
The flight tracks west-southwest over Alabama's red clay hill country, crosses the Mississippi River near Vicksburg or Natchez (a wide, meandering brown ribbon clearly visible from altitude), then transitions into Louisiana and east Texas pine forests before the terrain flattens into the Texas Blackland Prairie approaching Dallas. The Sabine River marks the Louisiana-Texas state line and is visible as a dark forested corridor.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ATL
RIGHTATL typically departs westbound on runways 26L/26R or 27L/27R, meaning the right (north) side gets a clear view back over downtown Atlanta's skyline as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. The left side faces south toward suburban sprawl with little of interest.
Landing at DAL
LEFTDallas Love Field sits on the north side of Dallas and typically receives arrivals from the east or southeast on runway 13R/13L, meaning the left (east) side gets a direct view of downtown Dallas's skyline on final approach. The right side faces west toward Fort Worth and open suburban terrain.
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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 Dallas Love Fld (DAL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to Dallas. The right seat wins on takeoff with the Atlanta skyline and Stone Mountain views, and while the left seat is better on landing into Dallas, the departure scenery is more dramatic and memorable. Right seat passengers also get views of the Mississippi River crossing and the Texas Piney Woods transition during cruise.
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 Right side for the best views. ATL typically departs westbound on runways 26L/26R or 27L/27R, meaning the right (north) side gets a clear view back over downtown Atlanta's skyline as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. The left side faces south toward suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain (visible to the northeast as a distinctive granite dome), Lake Allatoona reservoir to the northwest, Chattahoochee River corridor.
What can I see when landing at Dallas Love Fld in Dallas?
When landing at Dallas Love Fld (DAL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dallas Love Field sits on the north side of Dallas and typically receives arrivals from the east or southeast on runway 13R/13L, meaning the left (east) side gets a direct view of downtown Dallas's skyline on final approach. The right side faces west toward Fort Worth and open suburban terrain. Notable sights include: Downtown Dallas skyline (Reunion Tower, Bank of America Plaza), White Rock Lake, the Trinity River floodplain, Texas Motor Speedway visible to the northwest on clear days.
How long is the flight from Atlanta to Dallas?
The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Dallas Love Fld (DAL) takes about 2 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 719 miles (1,158 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Atlanta to Dallas flight path pass over?
The flight tracks west-southwest over Alabama's red clay hill country, crosses the Mississippi River near Vicksburg or Natchez (a wide, meandering brown ribbon clearly visible from altitude), then transitions into Louisiana and east Texas pine forests before the terrain flattens into the Texas Blackland Prairie approaching Dallas. The Sabine River marks the Louisiana-Texas state line and is visible as a dark forested corridor.