Washington to New York flight path: DCA to LGA

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to New York. While the DCA departure favors the right side with monument views, the LGA arrival's Manhattan skyline on the left is the single most striking feature of this short route, giving the left side the edge overall.

During takeoff from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DCA on Runway 01, the jet tracks north along the Potomac before banking east toward New York, giving right-side passengers a brief but clear view of the National Mall, the Capitol dome, and the Washington Monument. Left-side passengers get Arlington and the Pentagon, which is solid but less iconic. Notable sights include: US Capitol, Washington Monument, National Mall/Tidal Basin, Potomac River.

When landing at La Guardia (LGA), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the approach into LGA, flights are frequently vectored up the East River corridor before turning onto final for Runway 31, putting the Manhattan skyline right outside the left windows. It's a dramatic close-up city view that outweighs the right side's approach over Queens rooftops and Rikers Island. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline (Empire State Building, One World Trade Center), Central Park, East River, Queens shoreline.

The flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) to La Guardia (LGA) takes 1h 20m.

Chesapeake Bay's northern reaches, the Delaware River and Bay, and the New Jersey coastline near Atlantic City are visible along the low-altitude route between Washington and New York.