Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Lihue. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the DC departure you get the city and Potomac, and on arrival into Lihue the left side faces the Na Pali Coast and Waialeale, which are the most spectacular features of Kauai from the air. The transoceanic cruise portion offers little differentiation between sides.

During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. IAD primarily uses runways 01R/19L and 01L/19R. Departing northbound on runway 01, a left-side seat looks east toward Washington DC, giving you a clear view of the Capitol dome, the National Mall, and the Potomac River as the aircraft climbs and turns westward. Departing southbound on runway 19, the left side still captures the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west as you climb out. Notable sights include: Washington DC skyline and Capitol dome, Potomac River, Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, Dulles Toll Road corridor below.

When landing at Lihue (LIH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Lihue Airport on Kauai uses runway 03/21. Arriving from the northeast on runway 21, the left side faces northwest toward the Na Pali Coast cliffs and the interior peaks of the island including Waialeale. This is the most dramatic scenery Kauai offers from the air. Notable sights include: Na Pali Coast sea cliffs, Mount Waialeale crater, Hanalei Bay, Lihue coastal plain and Nawiliwili Harbor.

The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Lihue (LIH) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.

After crossing the Sierra Nevada and California coast near the Bay Area, the flight crosses roughly 2,400 miles of open Pacific Ocean. The Hawaiian island chain appears near the end, with the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui potentially visible to the south on clear days before reaching Kauai. No significant land features exist over the central Pacific portion of the route.