About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Dublin (DUB)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Dublin. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At departure you get the DC monuments and Potomac, and at arrival you get Dublin Bay, Howth Head, and the city. The transatlantic cruise itself offers little to differentiate sides — mostly open North Atlantic — but the bookend views make left the clear choice.
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. Dulles typically departs east on runway 01R/19L or northeast on 12/30. A left-side seat on an eastbound or northeastbound departure gives you the Washington DC skyline, the Potomac River, and the National Mall monuments as the aircraft climbs and turns toward the Atlantic. The right side faces suburban Virginia with little of note. Notable sights include: Washington DC Mall and monuments, Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay (visible during climb-out to altitude), Baltimore harbor in the distance.
What can I see when landing at Dublin in Dublin?
When landing at Dublin (DUB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dublin Airport's primary landing runways are 10/28 and 16/34. Arrivals from the west on runway 28 or from the south on runway 34 put the Irish Sea, Dublin Bay, and the city center on the left side as the aircraft descends. The right side faces inland toward the Midlands plain with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea, Dublin city center and the River Liffey, Howth Head peninsula, the Wicklow Mountains to the south.
How long is the flight from Washington to Dublin?
The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Dublin (DUB) takes Approximately 7 to 7.5 hours.
What does the Washington to Dublin flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast from DC over the Delmarva Peninsula and out over the North Atlantic, passing south of Newfoundland and crossing the mid-Atlantic ridge. The southern tip of Greenland may be distantly visible to the north on clear days. The route then crosses over the western approaches to Ireland, with the Aran Islands and Galway Bay potentially visible on the left before landfall, followed by the Irish Midlands plain on descent into Dublin.