About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to San Diego. Right side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over New Mexico and Arizona you also get better views of the Sonoran Desert terrain and the approach into SAN's bay panorama is one of the best urban approaches in the US from the right seat.
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 heading east, or 26L/26R/27L/27R heading west) mean westbound departures to SAN typically use the west-facing runways. Climbing out westbound, the right side gives you a clear view of downtown Atlanta's skyline as the aircraft banks northwest, with Midtown and the Buckhead district visible to the north. The left side faces south toward less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain (visible to the northeast as a granite dome), Lake Allatoona to the northwest, Chattahoochee River corridor.
What can I see when landing at San Diego International Lindbergh Fld in San Diego?
When landing at San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. SAN's primary runway 27 means aircraft approach from the east over Mission Valley and land heading west toward the bay. On the right side you get the full panorama of San Diego Bay, Coronado Island, and the Pacific Ocean as the aircraft descends over the city. The left side faces north toward Mission Bay and the urban grid but misses the dramatic bay and ocean view. Notable sights include: San Diego Bay, Coronado Island and the Silver Strand, Point Loma peninsula, Pacific Ocean.
How long is the flight from Atlanta to San Diego?
The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Atlanta to San Diego flight path pass over?
The flight tracks west-southwest over Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana or northern Texas depending on routing, then across West Texas and the Chihuahuan Desert, New Mexico's Rio Grande valley and Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, and finally the coastal ranges of San Diego County before descending to the coast.