Atlanta to Memphis flight pathATLMEM

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

Flight time1h 10m
Distance331
Heading289° → 285°

Atlanta to Memphis is 331 miles (533 km), a flight of about 1 hour 10 minutes.

Best side
Left

Left side wins both takeoff and landing. The Atlanta skyline and Stone Mountain on departure, followed by the Mississippi River and Memphis waterfront on approach, make the left side consistently more rewarding. The flight path crosses central Alabama and Mississippi, and the left side also gives slightly better views of the Tennessee River valley terrain in the middle portion of the flight.

Takeoff · ATLLEFTAtlanta downtown skyline, Stone Mountain, Lake Allatoona to the northwest
Landing · MEMLEFTMississippi River and its broad meanders west of Memphis, Memphis downtown and Beale Street district, Mud Island peninsula

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The flight crosses the Talladega National Forest and the low ridges of the Alabama Piedmont, then transitions to the flat Gulf Coastal Plain of central Mississippi. The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is visible as a straight engineered canal cutting through the Mississippi landscape. As the flight approaches Memphis, the terrain flattens dramatically into the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, with the broad agricultural grid of the Delta becoming visible below.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Atlanta (left side) — Atlanta downtown skyline, Stone Mountain (distinctive granite dome 16 miles east of downtown), Lake Allatoona to the northwest, Hartsfield-Jackson airport complex itself

Takeoff from ATL

LEFT

ATL's primary departure runways (8L/8R heading east, or 26L/26R heading west) mean a westbound flight to MEM typically departs on runways 26L/26R heading west-northwest. Left side gives you a clear view south over the Atlanta metro sprawl, Stone Mountain to the east, and the downtown skyline as the aircraft banks northwest. Right side faces north but is largely suburban.

Atlanta downtown skylineStone MountainLake Allatoona to the northwestHartsfield-Jackson airport complex itself

Landing at MEM

LEFT

Memphis runways 18L/18R (south) or 36L/36R (north) are the primary alignments. Arrivals from the east typically use runway 36 (northbound) or 18 (southbound). On a left seat approaching from the east, you get a direct view of the Mississippi River — the defining geographic feature here — as it curves broadly around the west side of Memphis. The river's wide brown channel and the Arkansas lowlands beyond are unmistakable.

Mississippi River and its broad meanders west of MemphisMemphis downtown and Beale Street districtMud Island peninsulaArkansas Delta flatlands across the river

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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 Memphis International (MEM)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to Memphis. Left side wins both takeoff and landing. The Atlanta skyline and Stone Mountain on departure, followed by the Mississippi River and Memphis waterfront on approach, make the left side consistently more rewarding. The flight path crosses central Alabama and Mississippi, and the left side also gives slightly better views of the Tennessee River valley terrain in the middle portion of the 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 Left side for the best views. ATL's primary departure runways (8L/8R heading east, or 26L/26R heading west) mean a westbound flight to MEM typically departs on runways 26L/26R heading west-northwest. Left side gives you a clear view south over the Atlanta metro sprawl, Stone Mountain to the east, and the downtown skyline as the aircraft banks northwest. Right side faces north but is largely suburban. Notable sights include: Atlanta downtown skyline, Stone Mountain (distinctive granite dome 16 miles east of downtown), Lake Allatoona to the northwest, Hartsfield-Jackson airport complex itself.

What can I see when landing at Memphis International in Memphis?

When landing at Memphis International (MEM), sit on the Left side for the best views. Memphis runways 18L/18R (south) or 36L/36R (north) are the primary alignments. Arrivals from the east typically use runway 36 (northbound) or 18 (southbound). On a left seat approaching from the east, you get a direct view of the Mississippi River — the defining geographic feature here — as it curves broadly around the west side of Memphis. The river's wide brown channel and the Arkansas lowlands beyond are unmistakable. Notable sights include: Mississippi River and its broad meanders west of Memphis, Memphis downtown and Beale Street district, Mud Island peninsula, Arkansas Delta flatlands across the river.

How long is the flight from Atlanta to Memphis?

The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Memphis International (MEM) takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 331 miles (533 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Atlanta to Memphis flight path pass over?

The flight crosses the Talladega National Forest and the low ridges of the Alabama Piedmont, then transitions to the flat Gulf Coastal Plain of central Mississippi. The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is visible as a straight engineered canal cutting through the Mississippi landscape. As the flight approaches Memphis, the terrain flattens dramatically into the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, with the broad agricultural grid of the Delta becoming visible below.