The right side delivers the more dramatic urban payoff at takeoff with the Dallas skyline and two visible lakes, and during the cruise over Mississippi and Alabama you get better angles on the Tennessee River valley and Appalachian foothills approaching from the right. The left side at RDU is good but the Raleigh skyline is modest. Right side wins on cumulative visual interest.
Flight Path
The flight tracks east-southeast across northeast Texas, crossing the Ark-La-Tex region near Texarkana, then over Arkansas crossing the Mississippi River near Memphis, across Tennessee and northern Mississippi, into Alabama, then the western Piedmont of North Carolina. Notable features include the Mississippi River floodplain near Memphis (wide, brown, clearly visible from altitude), the Tennessee River system in northern Alabama, and the gradual transition from flat Gulf Coastal Plain to the rolling Piedmont as you approach the Appalachian foothills in the distance to the north.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DFW
RIGHTDFW's primary departure runways (17C/17R heading south, or 18L/18R) often swing aircraft eastward toward Dallas. From the right side heading east-southeast, you get a clear view of downtown Dallas skyline, White Rock Lake, and the sprawling DFW metroplex grid. Left side faces west toward Fort Worth and open plains with less visual interest.
Landing at RDU
LEFTRDU's primary arrival runways (23L/23R, heading southwest) bring aircraft in from the northeast, meaning the left side faces southeast toward downtown Raleigh and Jordan Lake. You get a clear look at the Raleigh skyline and the patchwork of Piedmont forest and reservoirs that define the Research Triangle landscape.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Raleigh Durham International (RDU)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Raleigh-Durham. The right side delivers the more dramatic urban payoff at takeoff with the Dallas skyline and two visible lakes, and during the cruise over Mississippi and Alabama you get better angles on the Tennessee River valley and Appalachian foothills approaching from the right. The left side at RDU is good but the Raleigh skyline is modest. Right side wins on cumulative visual interest.
What can I see during takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International in Dallas-Fort Worth?
During takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), sit on the Right side for the best views. DFW's primary departure runways (17C/17R heading south, or 18L/18R) often swing aircraft eastward toward Dallas. From the right side heading east-southeast, you get a clear view of downtown Dallas skyline, White Rock Lake, and the sprawling DFW metroplex grid. Left side faces west toward Fort Worth and open plains with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Dallas skyline, White Rock Lake, Lake Ray Hubbard, DFW suburban grid sprawl.
What can I see when landing at Raleigh Durham International in Raleigh-Durham?
When landing at Raleigh Durham International (RDU), sit on the Left side for the best views. RDU's primary arrival runways (23L/23R, heading southwest) bring aircraft in from the northeast, meaning the left side faces southeast toward downtown Raleigh and Jordan Lake. You get a clear look at the Raleigh skyline and the patchwork of Piedmont forest and reservoirs that define the Research Triangle landscape. Notable sights include: Downtown Raleigh skyline, Falls Lake reservoir, Jordan Lake, Research Triangle Park campus clusters.
How long is the flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Raleigh-Durham?
The flight from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Raleigh Durham International (RDU) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Dallas-Fort Worth to Raleigh-Durham flight path pass over?
The flight tracks east-southeast across northeast Texas, crossing the Ark-La-Tex region near Texarkana, then over Arkansas crossing the Mississippi River near Memphis, across Tennessee and northern Mississippi, into Alabama, then the western Piedmont of North Carolina. Notable features include the Mississippi River floodplain near Memphis (wide, brown, clearly visible from altitude), the Tennessee River system in northern Alabama, and the gradual transition from flat Gulf Coastal Plain to the rolling Piedmont as you approach the Appalachian foothills in the distance to the north.