Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the American Southwest, the left side also tracks closer to the Colorado Rockies and the Great Basin ranges, offering better views of rugged terrain across New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada compared to the right side's more featureless desert plains.
Flown CLT to SMF? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Charlotte to Sacramento is 2,239 miles (3,603 km), a flight of about 5 hours 15 minutes.
The flight crosses the southern Appalachians shortly after departure, then tracks over the Mississippi River valley near Memphis, crosses the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico high desert, passes north of Albuquerque with the Sandia Mountains visible, crosses the Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert, traverses the Great Basin ranges of Nevada, and descends into the Central Valley over the Sierra Nevada foothills.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CLT
LEFTCLT's primary departure runways (18C/36C and 18L/36L) oriented north-south mean westbound departures typically involve a left turn heading northwest. The left side picks up downtown Charlotte's skyline and the Piedmont landscape as the aircraft banks west toward the Appalachians.
Landing at SMF
LEFTSMF typically uses runways 16L/34R and 16R/34L. Arrivals from the east on runway 34 approach from the south over the Sacramento Valley, putting the Sierra Nevada on the left (east) side. The left seat gets the full panorama of the Sierra crest including the Lake Tahoe basin visible in the distance on clear days.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Sacramento International (SMF)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charlotte to Sacramento. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the American Southwest, the left side also tracks closer to the Colorado Rockies and the Great Basin ranges, offering better views of rugged terrain across New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada compared to the right side's more featureless desert plains.
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. CLT's primary departure runways (18C/36C and 18L/36L) oriented north-south mean westbound departures typically involve a left turn heading northwest. The left side picks up downtown Charlotte's skyline and the Piedmont landscape as the aircraft banks west toward the Appalachians. Notable sights include: Downtown Charlotte skyline, Lake Norman to the north, Catawba River corridor, Crowders Mountain State Park to the west.
What can I see when landing at Sacramento International in Sacramento?
When landing at Sacramento International (SMF), sit on the Left side for the best views. SMF typically uses runways 16L/34R and 16R/34L. Arrivals from the east on runway 34 approach from the south over the Sacramento Valley, putting the Sierra Nevada on the left (east) side. The left seat gets the full panorama of the Sierra crest including the Lake Tahoe basin visible in the distance on clear days. Notable sights include: Sierra Nevada crest and foothills, Sacramento River and American River confluence, Sacramento city grid, Lake Tahoe basin on the distant horizon.
How long is the flight from Charlotte to Sacramento?
The flight from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Sacramento International (SMF) takes about 5 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,239 miles (3,603 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Charlotte to Sacramento flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the southern Appalachians shortly after departure, then tracks over the Mississippi River valley near Memphis, crosses the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico high desert, passes north of Albuquerque with the Sandia Mountains visible, crosses the Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert, traverses the Great Basin ranges of Nevada, and descends into the Central Valley over the Sierra Nevada foothills.