The long polar-style routing means the left side spends many cruise hours over dramatic high-latitude terrain—Canadian tundra, Arctic ice fields, and the mountains of eastern Siberia and Mongolia—far outweighing the shorter, flatter scenery on the right side of the aircraft.
Flown IAD to BKK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Washington to Bangkok is 8,799 miles (14,160 km), a flight of about 17 hours 45 minutes.
Hudson Bay coastline, Baffin Island ice fields, Siberian taiga and the Verkhoyansk mountain range, Mongolian steppe and the Gobi Desert
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from IAD
LEFTDeparting IAD on a northbound polar routing, the left side faces west toward the Blue Ridge and Appalachian ridgelines of Virginia and West Virginia, visible as the aircraft climbs out over rolling farmland. The right side just shows flat Maryland suburbs and haze toward the Chesapeake.
Landing at BKK
RIGHTOn approach into BKK from the north during a typical dry-season arrival, the right side of the aircraft faces west toward the Chao Phraya River delta and the Bangkok skyline as the plane turns onto final. The left side mostly shows flat rice paddies and canals with fewer distinct landmarks.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Bangkok. The long polar-style routing means the left side spends many cruise hours over dramatic high-latitude terrain—Canadian tundra, Arctic ice fields, and the mountains of eastern Siberia and Mongolia—far outweighing the shorter, flatter scenery on the right side of the aircraft.
What can I see during takeoff from Washington Dulles International in Washington?
During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing IAD on a northbound polar routing, the left side faces west toward the Blue Ridge and Appalachian ridgelines of Virginia and West Virginia, visible as the aircraft climbs out over rolling farmland. The right side just shows flat Maryland suburbs and haze toward the Chesapeake. Notable sights include: Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, Potomac River, rural Virginia farmland.
What can I see when landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok?
When landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into BKK from the north during a typical dry-season arrival, the right side of the aircraft faces west toward the Chao Phraya River delta and the Bangkok skyline as the plane turns onto final. The left side mostly shows flat rice paddies and canals with fewer distinct landmarks. Notable sights include: Chao Phraya River, Bangkok skyline, Gulf of Thailand coastline, patchwork rice paddies.
How long is the flight from Washington to Bangkok?
The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) takes about 17 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 8,799 miles (14,160 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Washington to Bangkok flight path pass over?
Hudson Bay coastline, Baffin Island ice fields, Siberian taiga and the Verkhoyansk mountain range, Mongolian steppe and the Gobi Desert