The right side offers more topographic variety across the flight—Apennine foothills on departure, a chance at Alpine peaks and southern Greenland's glaciated coastline during the transatlantic crossing, and the Twin Cities skyline with the Mississippi River on arrival—compared to the largely featureless open-ocean and plains views on the left.
Flown FCO to MSP? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Rome to Minneapolis is 4,889 miles (7,869 km), a flight of about 9 hours 50 minutes.
Route passes near the western Alps, crosses the North Atlantic south of Iceland, skirts the southern tip of Greenland's icecap and fjords, then continues over Labrador and Hudson Bay lowlands before descending into the Minnesota lake country.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from FCO
RIGHTDeparting FCO, the aircraft climbs out over the Roman coastline before curving northwest toward the Alps corridor, putting the Apennine foothills and the Tiber valley on the right side. The left side mostly shows open Tyrrhenian Sea with fading coastline.
Landing at MSP
RIGHTOn approach into MSP from the northeast, the right side typically overlooks the Twin Cities skyline and the Mississippi River as the plane banks toward the parallel runways, while the left side faces mostly flat farmland with fewer visual anchors.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Fiumicino (FCO) to Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Rome to Minneapolis. The right side offers more topographic variety across the flight—Apennine foothills on departure, a chance at Alpine peaks and southern Greenland's glaciated coastline during the transatlantic crossing, and the Twin Cities skyline with the Mississippi River on arrival—compared to the largely featureless open-ocean and plains views on the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Fiumicino in Rome?
During takeoff from Fiumicino (FCO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing FCO, the aircraft climbs out over the Roman coastline before curving northwest toward the Alps corridor, putting the Apennine foothills and the Tiber valley on the right side. The left side mostly shows open Tyrrhenian Sea with fading coastline. Notable sights include: Tiber River delta, Apennine foothills, Ostia coastline, Alban Hills.
What can I see when landing at Minneapolis St Paul International in Minneapolis?
When landing at Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into MSP from the northeast, the right side typically overlooks the Twin Cities skyline and the Mississippi River as the plane banks toward the parallel runways, while the left side faces mostly flat farmland with fewer visual anchors. Notable sights include: Mississippi River, Minneapolis downtown skyline, Lake Minnetonka area lakes, St. Paul riverfront.
How long is the flight from Rome to Minneapolis?
The flight from Fiumicino (FCO) to Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP) takes about 9 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,889 miles (7,869 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Rome to Minneapolis flight path pass over?
Route passes near the western Alps, crosses the North Atlantic south of Iceland, skirts the southern tip of Greenland's icecap and fjords, then continues over Labrador and Hudson Bay lowlands before descending into the Minnesota lake country.