About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to La Guardia (LGA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to New York. The left side tracks the Appalachian ridgelines through the Carolinas and Virginia, offers views over the Delaware Valley, and delivers the Manhattan skyline on final approach into LGA. The right side has a good Atlanta departure view but is less consistently rewarding through the mid-flight.
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's primary departure runways (8L/8R, 9L/9R) head east-northeast, so the right side faces north toward downtown Atlanta's skyline as you climb out. You get a clear view of the city grid and Midtown before the aircraft turns northeast. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain (visible to the east as a granite dome), Lake Allatoona to the northwest, Chattahoochee River corridor.
What can I see when landing at La Guardia in New York?
When landing at La Guardia (LGA), sit on the Left side for the best views. LGA's primary arrival runway 13 has aircraft approaching from the northwest over the Bronx, putting the left side facing south toward Manhattan. You get a direct, extended view of the Manhattan skyline, the East River, and the bridges as you descend over the borough. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline (Midtown and Lower Manhattan), East River with Queensboro and Williamsburg Bridges, Long Island Sound, Flushing Bay directly below on final.
How long is the flight from Atlanta to New York?
The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to La Guardia (LGA) takes Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes.
What does the Atlanta to New York flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia — parallel ridgelines clearly visible as elongated forested spines. Over Virginia the Shenandoah Valley is visible as a broad flat corridor between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny ridges. The flight then crosses the Washington DC metro area, with the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay visible to the east. Over Delaware and New Jersey the flat coastal plain and Delaware Bay are prominent before the New York metro area comes into view.