Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charlotte to Detroit. The left side delivers the best views at both ends of the flight — Charlotte's skyline on departure and the Detroit River, Belle Isle, and downtown Detroit on approach. During cruise, the left side also tracks closer to the Ohio River valley and Lake Erie's southern shoreline as the route curves northeast.

During takeoff from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Charlotte Douglas primarily uses runways 18L/18R and 36L/36R oriented north-south. On a northbound departure toward Detroit, climbing out heading north, the left (west) side gives a clear view back over Charlotte's uptown skyline and the Catawba River corridor. The right side faces east toward suburban sprawl with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Charlotte uptown skyline, Catawba River/Lake Norman to the northwest, Charlotte Motor Speedway visible to the northeast on the right, I-85 corridor cutting through the piedmont.

When landing at Detroit City (DET), sit on the Left side for the best views. Detroit City Airport (DET) sits on the east side of Detroit. Approaches typically come from the south or southwest. On a left-side seat, you get a direct view over the Detroit River, Windsor Ontario across the water, and the downtown Detroit skyline as you descend. The right side faces east toward suburban Grosse Pointe with less dramatic scenery. Notable sights include: Detroit River and Windsor Ontario waterfront, downtown Detroit skyline, Belle Isle park in the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair to the northeast.

The flight from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Detroit City (DET) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

The flight tracks northeast over the North Carolina piedmont, crossing into Virginia near Greensboro, then over the Appalachian ridges of southwest Virginia and West Virginia, the Ohio River valley near Charleston WV, across central Ohio farmland, and finally over Lake Erie's southern shoreline before descending into Detroit. The Ohio River crossing and the flat Lake Erie approach are the most visually distinctive mid-flight features.