Washington to New Orleans flight path: DCA to MSY

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to New Orleans. The right side captures the more dramatic and varied portion of the flight — the Washington DC monuments during climb-out and the Blue Ridge foothills of Virginia and the Carolinas during the first half of cruise — giving it a slight edge over the flatter Deep South scenery, even though the New Orleans arrival favors the left.

During takeoff from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DCA to the south on Runway 19 (or a left turn off Runway 01), passengers on the right side get a brief but iconic view of the Potomac River, the Pentagon, and the Washington Monument/Capitol skyline before the aircraft banks southwest toward the Carolinas. Notable sights include: Potomac River, Pentagon, Washington Monument, Capitol dome.

When landing at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into MSY from the east, the aircraft typically crosses Lake Pontchartrain before turning onto final for Runway 29; passengers on the left side see the New Orleans skyline, the Mississippi River's sharp bends, and the lake shoreline sliding by. Notable sights include: Lake Pontchartrain, Mississippi River bends, New Orleans downtown skyline, Superdome.

The flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) takes about 2 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 969 miles (1,560 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Piedmont foothills of Virginia and North Carolina, the Appalachian ridge and valley terrain near the Georgia-Alabama border, transitioning into the flat coastal plain and pine forests of Mississippi and Louisiana.