The left side wins overall because the cruise portion of this route passes near southern Greenland's coast, offering a rare and dramatic view of glaciers, fjords, and icy mountains for an extended stretch — a feature far more visually striking than the ocean and lowland scenery on the right, even though the right side gets the Alps at landing.
Flight Path
Labrador coastline, southern Greenland's icefields and fjords, and the open North Atlantic near Iceland
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from DTW
LEFTDeparting DTW on runway 22, the initial turn toward the northeast puts downtown Detroit's skyline, the Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair on the left side of the aircraft. The right side shows mostly flat Ohio and southern Michigan farmland.
Landing at MUC
RIGHTOn approach into MUC from the west under typical wind conditions, runway 08 arrivals descend eastward with the Bavarian foothills and the snow-capped Alps visible off to the south, on the right side of the aircraft. The left side shows the flatter Bavarian plain and Munich's suburbs.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Munich (MUC)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Munich. The left side wins overall because the cruise portion of this route passes near southern Greenland's coast, offering a rare and dramatic view of glaciers, fjords, and icy mountains for an extended stretch — a feature far more visually striking than the ocean and lowland scenery on the right, even though the right side gets the Alps at landing.
What can I see during takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co in Detroit?
During takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing DTW on runway 22, the initial turn toward the northeast puts downtown Detroit's skyline, the Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair on the left side of the aircraft. The right side shows mostly flat Ohio and southern Michigan farmland. Notable sights include: Detroit skyline, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, Windsor Ontario waterfront.
What can I see when landing at Munich in Munich?
When landing at Munich (MUC), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into MUC from the west under typical wind conditions, runway 08 arrivals descend eastward with the Bavarian foothills and the snow-capped Alps visible off to the south, on the right side of the aircraft. The left side shows the flatter Bavarian plain and Munich's suburbs. Notable sights include: Bavarian Alps, Ammersee and Starnberger See lakes, Munich outskirts, foothill forests.
How long is the flight from Detroit to Munich?
The flight from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Munich (MUC) takes 8h 20m.
What does the Detroit to Munich flight path pass over?
Labrador coastline, southern Greenland's icefields and fjords, and the open North Atlantic near Iceland