The left side wins both ends of the flight. The Atlanta climb-out gives you the city skyline and Stone Mountain, and the Venice approach over the lagoon on the left is genuinely one of the great arrival views in commercial aviation. Mid-flight over the Atlantic the views are similar on both sides, but the bookend experiences favor left throughout.
Flown ATL to VCE? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Atlanta to Venice is 4,903 miles (7,890 km), a flight of about 10 hours 30 minutes.
After departing Atlanta the route tracks northeast over the Appalachians (visible as parallel ridgelines in Virginia and Pennsylvania), crosses the Canadian Maritime provinces or New England coast, then the North Atlantic. Mid-ocean there is little to see except ocean and occasional cloud systems. The European landfall is typically over Ireland or southwestern England, then the route crosses France and the Alps before descending into the Po Valley and the Venetian lagoon. The Alps are visible as a broad white serrated ridge from both sides during the descent phase.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ATL
LEFTATL primarily uses runways 8L/8R/9L/9R for eastbound departures or 26L/26R/27L/27R for westbound. On a transatlantic routing heading northeast, aircraft typically depart on the south complex runways heading east, then bank left (north). The left side picks up the Atlanta skyline to the northwest as you climb out over the northern suburbs.
Landing at VCE
LEFTVCE's runway 04/22 means arrivals typically come in from the south over the Adriatic or from the west over the Venetian lagoon. On the common runway 04 approach from the south, the left side looks directly over the Venetian lagoon, the historic city of Venice on its islands, and the causeway connecting it to the mainland — one of the most dramatic airport approaches in Europe.
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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 Venezia Tessera (VCE)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to Venice. The left side wins both ends of the flight. The Atlanta climb-out gives you the city skyline and Stone Mountain, and the Venice approach over the lagoon on the left is genuinely one of the great arrival views in commercial aviation. Mid-flight over the Atlantic the views are similar on both sides, but the bookend experiences favor left throughout.
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 primarily uses runways 8L/8R/9L/9R for eastbound departures or 26L/26R/27L/27R for westbound. On a transatlantic routing heading northeast, aircraft typically depart on the south complex runways heading east, then bank left (north). The left side picks up the Atlanta skyline to the northwest as you climb out over the northern suburbs. Notable sights include: Atlanta downtown skyline, Stone Mountain (the exposed granite dome 16 miles east of downtown), Lake Lanier reservoir to the north, Chattahoochee River corridor.
What can I see when landing at Venezia Tessera in Venice?
When landing at Venezia Tessera (VCE), sit on the Left side for the best views. VCE's runway 04/22 means arrivals typically come in from the south over the Adriatic or from the west over the Venetian lagoon. On the common runway 04 approach from the south, the left side looks directly over the Venetian lagoon, the historic city of Venice on its islands, and the causeway connecting it to the mainland — one of the most dramatic airport approaches in Europe. Notable sights include: Venice historic center and its island clusters, the Venetian Lagoon, the Liberty Bridge (road and rail causeway to Mestre), the barrier islands of the Lido.
How long is the flight from Atlanta to Venice?
The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Venezia Tessera (VCE) takes about 10 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,903 miles (7,890 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Atlanta to Venice flight path pass over?
After departing Atlanta the route tracks northeast over the Appalachians (visible as parallel ridgelines in Virginia and Pennsylvania), crosses the Canadian Maritime provinces or New England coast, then the North Atlantic. Mid-ocean there is little to see except ocean and occasional cloud systems. The European landfall is typically over Ireland or southwestern England, then the route crosses France and the Alps before descending into the Po Valley and the Venetian lagoon. The Alps are visible as a broad white serrated ridge from both sides during the descent phase.