Left side wins both departure and arrival. During the cruise portion heading southwest across Mississippi and Louisiana, the left side also tracks closer to the Mississippi River valley and offers better views of the flat agricultural patchwork of the Deep South. Right side has no compelling advantage at any phase of this flight.
Flown CLT to AUS? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Charlotte to Austin is 1,030 miles (1,658 km), a flight of about 2 hours 20 minutes.
The flight tracks southwest across the South Carolina/Georgia piedmont, then over central Alabama and Mississippi. Notable features include the broad Mississippi River crossing near Jackson, MS, the flat alluvial farmland of the Mississippi Delta visible to the north, the pine forests of east Texas, and the transition from the Gulf Coastal Plain into the Texas Hill Country as you approach Austin from the east.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CLT
LEFTCharlotte Douglas primarily departs to the west on runways 18C/36C and 18L/36L. A westbound departure climbing out to the southwest gives the left side a clear view back over uptown Charlotte's skyline and the Catawba River corridor. The right side faces north toward suburban sprawl with little of interest.
Landing at AUS
LEFTAustin Bergstrom's primary arrival runway 17L/17R brings aircraft in from the north heading south, putting the left side over downtown Austin, the Colorado River (Lady Bird Lake), and the Capitol building. The right side faces east toward flat suburban and rural terrain with little visual interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Austin Bergstrom International (AUS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charlotte to Austin. Left side wins both departure and arrival. During the cruise portion heading southwest across Mississippi and Louisiana, the left side also tracks closer to the Mississippi River valley and offers better views of the flat agricultural patchwork of the Deep South. Right side has no compelling advantage at any phase of this flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Charlotte Douglas International in Charlotte?
During takeoff from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Charlotte Douglas primarily departs to the west on runways 18C/36C and 18L/36L. A westbound departure climbing out to the southwest gives the left side a clear view back over uptown Charlotte's skyline and the Catawba River corridor. The right side faces north toward suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Uptown Charlotte skyline, Catawba River/Lake Wylie, Lake Norman to the north (visible briefly on right but better framed left on turn), I-85 corridor stretching southwest.
What can I see when landing at Austin Bergstrom International in Austin?
When landing at Austin Bergstrom International (AUS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Austin Bergstrom's primary arrival runway 17L/17R brings aircraft in from the north heading south, putting the left side over downtown Austin, the Colorado River (Lady Bird Lake), and the Capitol building. The right side faces east toward flat suburban and rural terrain with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Austin skyline, Lady Bird Lake (Colorado River impoundment), Texas State Capitol dome, Congress Avenue corridor.
How long is the flight from Charlotte to Austin?
The flight from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Austin Bergstrom International (AUS) takes about 2 hours 20 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,030 miles (1,658 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Charlotte to Austin flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southwest across the South Carolina/Georgia piedmont, then over central Alabama and Mississippi. Notable features include the broad Mississippi River crossing near Jackson, MS, the flat alluvial farmland of the Mississippi Delta visible to the north, the pine forests of east Texas, and the transition from the Gulf Coastal Plain into the Texas Hill Country as you approach Austin from the east.