The left side wins both the departure, with its clear view of the Washington D.C. monuments and Potomac River, and the arrival, with the Great Smoky Mountains and Tennessee ridge country filling the window — giving it the stronger combination over the full flight.
Flown DCA to TYS? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Washington to Knoxville is 436 miles (702 km), a flight of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, and the Appalachian ridge-and-valley terrain of western Virginia and East Tennessee
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from DCA
LEFTDCA departures headed southwest toward Knoxville typically climb out over the Potomac and bank left, giving a sweeping view of the National Mall, monuments, and Pentagon before the city falls away. The right side only shows the flatter Maryland suburbs during this turn.
Landing at TYS
LEFTOn the southwest approach into TYS, the left side faces south toward the Great Smoky Mountains and the ridge-and-valley terrain of East Tennessee, while the right side mostly shows flatter farmland north of Knoxville. The Smokies give the final descent real visual drama.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) to Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Knoxville. The left side wins both the departure, with its clear view of the Washington D.C. monuments and Potomac River, and the arrival, with the Great Smoky Mountains and Tennessee ridge country filling the window — giving it the stronger combination over the full flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Ronald Reagan Washington National in Washington?
During takeoff from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), sit on the Left side for the best views. DCA departures headed southwest toward Knoxville typically climb out over the Potomac and bank left, giving a sweeping view of the National Mall, monuments, and Pentagon before the city falls away. The right side only shows the flatter Maryland suburbs during this turn. Notable sights include: Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Pentagon, Potomac River bends.
What can I see when landing at Mc Ghee Tyson in Knoxville?
When landing at Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the southwest approach into TYS, the left side faces south toward the Great Smoky Mountains and the ridge-and-valley terrain of East Tennessee, while the right side mostly shows flatter farmland north of Knoxville. The Smokies give the final descent real visual drama. Notable sights include: Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee River, Knoxville skyline, French Broad River valley.
How long is the flight from Washington to Knoxville?
The flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) to Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 436 miles (702 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Washington to Knoxville flight path pass over?
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, and the Appalachian ridge-and-valley terrain of western Virginia and East Tennessee