Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Anchorage. While takeoff from DCA favors the right, the landing approach into Elmendorf provides far more dramatic and sustained views of Alaska's signature geography—the Chugach Mountains, Cook Inlet, and glaciated terrain. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.

During takeoff from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), sit on the Right side for the best views. DCA typically departs to the north on Runway 01, and a right window seat provides views of the Potomac River's northern course and the Maryland suburbs expanding northward. The left side faces back toward downtown Washington and the river's southern bend, which recedes quickly. Notable sights include: Potomac River (flowing north), Arlington and Fairfax County suburban sprawl, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Chain Bridge crossing the Potomac.

When landing at Elmendorf Afb (EDF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Elmendorf AFB sits on the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage, and aircraft typically approach from the south or southeast. Left-side seats capture the Cook Inlet, the Chugach Mountains rising dramatically to the east, and the final descent over the peninsula's coastal terrain before touchdown. Notable sights include: Cook Inlet (large water body), Chugach Mountains (snow-capped range), Kenai Peninsula coastline, Turnagain Arm (inlet branch).

The flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) to Elmendorf Afb (EDF) takes Approximately 5 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 45 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Canadian Rockies (visible around 2.5 hours out), the Yukon Territory's boreal forest and lakes, the Alaska Range (including Denali, typically visible on clear days), and the Susitna River valley before descending into the Anchorage basin. The Alaska Range crossing offers the most dramatic midpoint scenery, with high peaks and glaciated valleys visible from 25,000–35,000 feet on clear days.