Detroit to Amsterdam is 3,907 miles (6,288 km), a flight of about 7 hours 45 minutes.
The left side edges out the right because it captures the only real scenic bookends of this flight, the Detroit River and Belle Isle at takeoff and the North Sea coastline and Dutch polders on approach, while the right side faces mostly featureless Ontario terrain and open Atlantic Ocean with little landmark variety.
Flight Path
Labrador Sea, southern tip of Greenland (occasionally visible in clear conditions), open North Atlantic Ocean, Irish west coast on the final approach toward Europe
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from DET
LEFTDeparting Detroit City Airport, the initial climb and turn typically bank over the Detroit River and Belle Isle before the aircraft settles onto its northeasterly track toward Canada, giving left-side passengers a brief but clear view of the river, Belle Isle Park, and the Windsor-Detroit waterfront skyline.
Landing at AMS
LEFTArrivals into Schiphol from the west typically cross the North Sea coastline near the Dutch dunes, then track over the flat polder landscape and canals before lining up for one of the southern runways, and the left side offers the clearer view of this coastline-to-polder transition and glimpses of Amsterdam's outskirts.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Detroit City (DET) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Amsterdam. The left side edges out the right because it captures the only real scenic bookends of this flight, the Detroit River and Belle Isle at takeoff and the North Sea coastline and Dutch polders on approach, while the right side faces mostly featureless Ontario terrain and open Atlantic Ocean with little landmark variety.
What can I see during takeoff from Detroit City in Detroit?
During takeoff from Detroit City (DET), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Detroit City Airport, the initial climb and turn typically bank over the Detroit River and Belle Isle before the aircraft settles onto its northeasterly track toward Canada, giving left-side passengers a brief but clear view of the river, Belle Isle Park, and the Windsor-Detroit waterfront skyline. Notable sights include: Detroit River, Belle Isle, Downtown Detroit skyline, Lake St. Clair (distant).
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into Schiphol from the west typically cross the North Sea coastline near the Dutch dunes, then track over the flat polder landscape and canals before lining up for one of the southern runways, and the left side offers the clearer view of this coastline-to-polder transition and glimpses of Amsterdam's outskirts. Notable sights include: North Sea coastline and dunes, IJsselmeer (distant), Dutch polder farmland grid, Amsterdam canal ring (distant).
How long is the flight from Detroit to Amsterdam?
The flight from Detroit City (DET) to Schiphol (AMS) takes about 7 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,907 miles (6,288 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Detroit to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
Labrador Sea, southern tip of Greenland (occasionally visible in clear conditions), open North Atlantic Ocean, Irish west coast on the final approach toward Europe