About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charlotte to New Orleans. The right side wins overall. While left has the Charlotte skyline on departure, the right side delivers the more dramatic payoff on arrival with the full panorama of Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi crescent, and the New Orleans urban bowl. During the cruise, the right side also tracks closer to the Gulf Coast marshlands of Mississippi and Louisiana as the flight descends.
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, so the left (east) side gives you a view back over uptown Charlotte's skyline as you climb out. You'll see the grid of downtown and the surrounding Piedmont sprawl before the city fades into rolling Carolina foothills. Notable sights include: Uptown Charlotte skyline, Lake Norman to the north, Catawba River corridor, Charlotte Motor Speedway visible to the northeast.
What can I see when landing at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International in New Orleans?
When landing at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), sit on the Right side for the best views. MSY typically lands on runway 10 heading east, meaning the right (south) side looks out over the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain and the city of New Orleans proper, including the distinctive crescent bend of the Mississippi River. The left side faces north over the open lake with less to see on final approach. Notable sights include: Lake Pontchartrain southern shoreline, Mississippi River crescent bend through New Orleans, the French Quarter and CBD grid, Lake Borgne to the southeast.
How long is the flight from Charlotte to New Orleans?
The flight from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
What does the Charlotte to New Orleans flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the South Carolina and Georgia Piedmont, then the Alabama Black Belt agricultural region, before tracking over the pine forests and river deltas of southern Mississippi. The Pearl River and its coastal wetlands are visible on descent. The transition from upland pine country to the flat coastal plain and bayou country of Louisiana is gradual but distinct from altitude.