GST

Best window seat at Gustavus Airport

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Taking offRIGHT

Glacier Bay entrance near Bartlett Cove, Mount Fairweather Range, Icy Strait glimpses on the horizon

LandingLEFT

Glacier Bay National Park entrance, Beardslee Islands, Fairweather Range peaks

🛫 Taking Off from Gustavus (GST)

Best sideRight
WhyDeparting on runway 29 you climb out heading northwest, and the right side gives you the best view into Glacier Bay National Park with its ice-carved fjords, plus the snow-capped Fairweather Range rising over 15,000 feet in the distance. The left side mostly shows Icy Strait and forested Chichagof Island, which is comparatively flat and less dramatic.
Look forGlacier Bay entrance near Bartlett Cove, Mount Fairweather Range, Icy Strait glimpses on the horizon, forested inlets of the Alaska Panhandle

🛬 Landing at Gustavus (GST)

Best sideLeft
WhyOn the typical approach to runway 11, you're flying southeast, which puts the mouth of Glacier Bay and the Beardslee Islands off the left side of the aircraft. You'll also get a good look at the Fairweather Range peaks to the west before the turn onto final.
Look forGlacier Bay National Park entrance, Beardslee Islands, Fairweather Range peaks, Icy Strait

Gustavus Airport is a small, single-terminal facility with no jet bridges, primarily serving seasonal flights tied to Glacier Bay tourism. It has a paved main runway long enough for regional jets, plus a shorter secondary strip used mainly by small aircraft.

⛰️ Elevation36 ft
🛫 Runways2 (11/29, 02/20)
📍 NearbyJNU 41 miHNS 57 miSGY 73 mi

Landmarks on routes from GustavusAll landmarks →

🧊Glacier Bay1 route

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Gustavus Airport (GST)?

At Gustavus Airport in Gustavus: for takeoff, sit on the Right side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Glacier Bay entrance near Bartlett Cove, Mount Fairweather Range, Icy Strait glimpses on the horizon, forested inlets of the Alaska Panhandle.

What can I see during takeoff from Gustavus Airport in Gustavus?

When taking off from Gustavus Airport (GST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing on runway 29 you climb out heading northwest, and the right side gives you the best view into Glacier Bay National Park with its ice-carved fjords, plus the snow-capped Fairweather Range rising over 15,000 feet in the distance. The left side mostly shows Icy Strait and forested Chichagof Island, which is comparatively flat and less dramatic. Notable sights include: Glacier Bay entrance near Bartlett Cove, Mount Fairweather Range, Icy Strait glimpses on the horizon, forested inlets of the Alaska Panhandle.

What can I see when landing at Gustavus Airport in Gustavus?

When landing at Gustavus Airport (GST), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical approach to runway 11, you're flying southeast, which puts the mouth of Glacier Bay and the Beardslee Islands off the left side of the aircraft. You'll also get a good look at the Fairweather Range peaks to the west before the turn onto final. Notable sights include: Glacier Bay National Park entrance, Beardslee Islands, Fairweather Range peaks, Icy Strait.

What factors affect the best window seat at Gustavus Airport?

The best window seat at Gustavus Airport (GST) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Gustavus (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.