Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charlotte to Grand Rapids. The left side wins overall because the takeoff view from Charlotte is the more dramatic and varied of the two events, capturing the city skyline and Lake Norman clearly. During cruise the flight tracks northwest over Kentucky and Indiana where terrain is relatively flat on both sides, but the left side also picks up the Ohio River valley crossing and glimpses of Louisville's urban area. The right side has a slight edge on landing but the left side's takeoff advantage carries the flight.

During takeoff from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Charlotte Douglas primarily uses runways 18L/18R for southbound departures and 36L/36R for northbound. On a northbound departure to Grand Rapids, aircraft climb out heading roughly north, putting the Charlotte city skyline and uptown district off the left (west) side. The left seat also picks up Lake Norman, the large reservoir about 20 miles north of the airport, as the aircraft climbs through 5,000-10,000 feet. Notable sights include: Charlotte uptown skyline, Lake Norman reservoir, Catawba River corridor, I-85/I-77 interchange sprawl.

When landing at Gerald R Ford International (GRR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Gerald R. Ford International primarily uses runway 08R/26L and 08L/26R. Arrivals from the south typically come in on a westward heading (runway 26), meaning the right side faces north and picks up the Grand River winding through downtown Grand Rapids as the aircraft descends through 3,000-6,000 feet. Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline is also visible on the right side in the distance during the approach. Notable sights include: Grand River through downtown Grand Rapids, Lake Michigan eastern shoreline, Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids, suburban grid of Kent County.

The flight from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Gerald R Ford International (GRR) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

The flight crosses the Blue Ridge foothills briefly after departure, then tracks over the rolling terrain of western Virginia and eastern Kentucky's coal country, crossing the Ohio River near Cincinnati or Louisville depending on routing. Central Indiana's flat agricultural grid dominates the cruise phase before descending over southwestern Michigan's glacial lake plain.