Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Delhi. The left side wins overall due to the spectacular Washington DC departure view, which is one of the most iconic urban departures in American aviation. En route, the left side also offers better views of the Alps crossing and parts of Central Asia depending on exact routing. The Delhi arrival advantage on the right is real but less dramatic than the DC departure.

During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dulles typically departs east on runway 01R/19L or northeast on 12/30. A left-side seat during an eastward or northeastward departure gives you a clear view of Washington DC's monuments, the Potomac River, and the Capitol dome as the aircraft banks toward its transatlantic routing. The right side faces suburban Virginia with no comparable landmarks. Notable sights include: Washington Monument and National Mall, Potomac River, Capitol Hill dome, Reagan National Airport on the river bend.

When landing at Indira Gandhi International (DEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Indira Gandhi International typically lands on runway 28/10 or 29/11, with approaches often coming from the east or southeast. A right-side seat on approach from the east gives views over Old Delhi, the Yamuna River, and the dense urban fabric of central Delhi. The left side faces south toward Gurgaon's newer sprawl with less geographic distinction. Notable sights include: Yamuna River, Old Delhi's dense urban core, Connaught Place circular road pattern, Qutub Minar area to the south.

The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Indira Gandhi International (DEL) takes Approximately 14 to 15 hours nonstop.

The great circle route from IAD to DEL tracks northeast over the Atlantic, crosses Scotland or northern England, passes over Scandinavia or the North Sea, then cuts across Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region, transits Turkey and the Caucasus or Iran depending on routing, crosses Afghanistan and Pakistan's Indus Valley, and descends into the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Notable features include the Alps visible from both sides over Central Europe, the Caspian Sea as a large inland body of water, the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges on approach to the subcontinent, and the Indus River winding through Pakistan's Punjab.