About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Lovell Fld (CHA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charlotte to Chattanooga. While the left side has a decent Charlotte departure view, the right side delivers the more dramatic scenery overall: the Blue Ridge foothills and Appalachian ridgelines are visible through the mid-flight on the right, and the Lookout Mountain and Tennessee River gorge arrival into Chattanooga on the right is the visual highlight of the entire route.
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 typically departs runway 18C/18L heading south before turning west-northwest toward Chattanooga. A left-side seat gives you a view back over uptown Charlotte's skyline as the aircraft banks right, and then faces the Blue Ridge foothills as you climb out heading west. Notable sights include: Uptown Charlotte skyline, Lake Norman to the northwest, Lake Wylie to the southwest, Crowders Mountain State Park.
What can I see when landing at Lovell Fld in Chattanooga?
When landing at Lovell Fld (CHA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Lovell Field typically uses runway 02 or 20 aligned roughly north-south. Approaching from the east on a westward track, the right side faces south toward Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee River gorge, which are the dominant visual features of the Chattanooga approach. Missionary Ridge is also visible to the right as you descend. Notable sights include: Lookout Mountain, Tennessee River gorge, Missionary Ridge, downtown Chattanooga.
How long is the flight from Charlotte to Chattanooga?
The flight from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Lovell Fld (CHA) takes Approximately 45-55 minutes.
What does the Charlotte to Chattanooga flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the South Carolina-North Carolina Piedmont transitioning into the Blue Ridge foothills near Gaffney and Spartanburg, then tracks over the Appalachian Ridge and Valley province in northwest South Carolina and northeast Georgia. The parallel northeast-southwest trending ridges of the Valley and Ridge physiographic province are clearly visible from altitude, including the Cohutta Mountains near the Georgia-Tennessee border. The broad Great Tennessee Valley opens up on descent into Chattanooga.