About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to Detroit. While the left side wins at takeoff for Atlanta's skyline, the right side delivers the more dramatic and geographically unique finale — Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River international border are genuinely striking from altitude. En route, the right side also picks up better views of the Tennessee River valley and Kentucky's rolling terrain as the flight tracks northeast.
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 26L/26R heading west) mean a northbound climb-out swings the aircraft to reveal downtown Atlanta's skyline on the left side. The left window captures the dense cluster of Midtown and Downtown skyscrapers, Stone Mountain's granite dome to the east, and the sprawling interchange of I-285 and I-75/85 below. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain granite dome (east of city), Chattahoochee River corridor, Hartsfield-Jackson airport complex receding behind.
What can I see when landing at Detroit Metro Wayne Co in Detroit?
When landing at Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Right side for the best views. DTW's primary arrival runways (21L/21R heading southwest, or 03/04 heading northeast) on a southbound approach from the north typically bring aircraft over Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River. The right side captures Lake St. Clair's broad expanse, the Detroit River separating the US and Canada, and Windsor, Ontario directly across from downtown Detroit. Notable sights include: Lake St. Clair, Detroit River (US-Canada border), Windsor Ontario waterfront, Detroit downtown skyline along the river.
How long is the flight from Atlanta to Detroit?
The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Atlanta to Detroit flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast over the southern Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia and Tennessee, crossing the Tennessee River near Chattanooga, then over the Cumberland Plateau and Kentucky's Bluegrass region, crossing the Ohio River near Cincinnati, then over the flat agricultural plains of central Ohio before descending toward Lake Erie and the Detroit metro area.