Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charlotte to Santa Ana. The right side captures the most dramatic scenery of the flight: the Appalachian foothills departing the Southeast, the Mississippi River crossing, the Texas Hill Country, New Mexico high desert, Arizona's Mogollon Rim, and the spectacular descent into Orange County with the Santa Ana Mountains and Pacific coastline. The landing view on the right is the single best moment of the entire route.

During takeoff from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Charlotte Douglas primarily departs runway 18C/18L heading south, then aircraft bank right (westbound), putting the left side facing north over uptown Charlotte's skyline and the Catawba River corridor. The city grid and Bank of America Stadium are clearly visible before the aircraft climbs out over the Piedmont. Notable sights include: Uptown Charlotte skyline, Bank of America Stadium, Lake Norman to the north, Catawba River.

When landing at John Wayne Arpt Orange Co (SNA), sit on the Right side for the best views. John Wayne Airport approaches are typically from the east or northeast on runway 20L/20R, heading southwest toward the Pacific. The right side faces northwest, giving a direct view over the Santa Ana Mountains, the urban grid of Orange County, and the Pacific coastline from Newport Beach to Laguna Beach as the aircraft descends over the basin. Notable sights include: Santa Ana Mountains, Newport Beach coastline and Back Bay, Laguna Beach cliffs, Orange County urban grid.

The flight from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to John Wayne Arpt Orange Co (SNA) takes Approximately 4 hours 45 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes.

The flight tracks roughly west-southwest from Charlotte across the Appalachian foothills of western North Carolina and Tennessee, then over the Mississippi River near Memphis, across Arkansas and into Texas over Dallas-Fort Worth. The route continues over the Edwards Plateau and West Texas scrubland, crosses into New Mexico over the Guadalupe Mountains or Llano Estacado, then traverses southern Arizona over the Sonoran Desert and the Phoenix metro area before crossing the Colorado River into California and descending over the Inland Empire toward Orange County.