Buffalo to Charlotte flight path: BUF to CLT

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Buffalo to Charlotte. The right side wins because it captures Lake Erie at departure and the Blue Ridge/Appalachian foothills during the descent into Charlotte, giving the flight its only real terrain and water interest. The left side stays over flat, unremarkable Piedmont and rural Pennsylvania/Virginia countryside for the whole route.

During takeoff from Buffalo Niagara International (BUF), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing BUF on runway 23 toward the southwest, the right side gives passengers a brief but clear view of Lake Erie's eastern basin and the Buffalo waterfront before the aircraft turns south. The left side mostly shows flat suburban terrain with nothing distinctive. Notable sights include: Lake Erie shoreline, Buffalo Harbor, Niagara River outlet.

When landing at Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into CLT from the north, the right side faces west toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian foothills, which rise clearly above the Piedmont plateau. The left side faces east into flatter Piedmont farmland with no comparable terrain feature. Notable sights include: Blue Ridge Mountains foothills, South Mountains range, Catawba River valley.

The flight from Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) to Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 547 miles (880 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

The route crosses the ridge-and-valley Appalachians of central Pennsylvania and West Virginia before descending over the Piedmont plateau of Virginia and North Carolina, with the Blue Ridge Mountains visible to the west along much of the southern portion of the flight.