Right side wins both takeoff and landing. The route's geography naturally favors the right side: Nashville's Cumberland River and downtown on departure, then the entire Tampa Bay approach corridor on arrival. Left side offers only forested terrain and inland features with minimal visual interest.
Flown BNA to MCF? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Nashville to Tampa is 621 miles (1,000 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses central Tennessee and northern Georgia, passing east of the Cumberland Plateau and west of the Great Smoky Mountains. Notable features include the Tennessee River valley (visible from altitude as a linear water feature), the transition from Tennessee's rolling terrain into Georgia's Piedmont region, and the approach to the Appalachian foothills. Over Alabama and Georgia, the landscape transitions from forested ridges to increasingly flat terrain. As the flight approaches Florida, the terrain flattens dramatically into the Gulf Coastal Plain. The flight passes west of Atlanta's airspace and crosses into Florida's peninsula, where the landscape becomes predominantly flat with scattered lakes and wetlands visible before the final descent into Tampa Bay.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from BNA
RIGHTRight side captures the Cumberland River winding through downtown Nashville and the city's urban grid spreading eastward. Left side faces mostly suburban sprawl and forested terrain with less distinctive features during initial climb.
Landing at MCF
RIGHTRight side offers views of Tampa Bay's eastern shoreline, Hillsborough Bay, and the approach over water toward MacDill AFB. Left side faces inland terrain with fewer distinctive visual references during descent.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Nashville International (BNA) to Macdill Afb (MCF)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Nashville to Tampa. Right side wins both takeoff and landing. The route's geography naturally favors the right side: Nashville's Cumberland River and downtown on departure, then the entire Tampa Bay approach corridor on arrival. Left side offers only forested terrain and inland features with minimal visual interest.
What can I see during takeoff from Nashville International in Nashville?
During takeoff from Nashville International (BNA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right side captures the Cumberland River winding through downtown Nashville and the city's urban grid spreading eastward. Left side faces mostly suburban sprawl and forested terrain with less distinctive features during initial climb. Notable sights include: Cumberland River (prominent meander through downtown), Nashville's downtown skyline and Broadway corridor, Percy Priest Lake (visible to the east), forested ridges of the Cumberland Plateau escarpment to the southeast.
What can I see when landing at Macdill Afb in Tampa?
When landing at Macdill Afb (MCF), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right side offers views of Tampa Bay's eastern shoreline, Hillsborough Bay, and the approach over water toward MacDill AFB. Left side faces inland terrain with fewer distinctive visual references during descent. Notable sights include: Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay (water approach), Ybor City and downtown Tampa skyline (visible to the north), Interbay Peninsula separating Hillsborough Bay from the Gulf, MacDill AFB runways and coastal position.
How long is the flight from Nashville to Tampa?
The flight from Nashville International (BNA) to Macdill Afb (MCF) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 621 miles (1,000 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Nashville to Tampa flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses central Tennessee and northern Georgia, passing east of the Cumberland Plateau and west of the Great Smoky Mountains. Notable features include the Tennessee River valley (visible from altitude as a linear water feature), the transition from Tennessee's rolling terrain into Georgia's Piedmont region, and the approach to the Appalachian foothills. Over Alabama and Georgia, the landscape transitions from forested ridges to increasingly flat terrain. As the flight approaches Florida, the terrain flattens dramatically into the Gulf Coastal Plain. The flight passes west of Atlanta's airspace and crosses into Florida's peninsula, where the landscape becomes predominantly flat with scattered lakes and wetlands visible before the final descent into Tampa Bay.