The right side offers the stronger bookend views — Washington D.C. and the Chesapeake Bay at departure, and the Yanshan mountains with Great Wall remnants at arrival — while the long polar cruise segment offers similar Arctic and Siberian terrain regardless of side.
Flown IAD to PEK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Washington to Beijing is 6,905 miles (11,113 km), a flight of about 13 hours 20 minutes.
Hudson Bay, Baffin Island, Arctic sea ice pack, Verkhoyansk mountain range in Siberia, Mongolian steppe and Gobi Desert margins
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpeg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from IAD
RIGHTIAD departures on this route climb out heading almost due north, and with the aircraft banking gently right after takeoff, passengers on the right side get a good look at Washington D.C.'s skyline, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay tidal flats before the plane climbs into cruise. The left side mostly shows the rolling, tree-covered Piedmont with little contrast.
Landing at PEK
RIGHTOn the descent into PEK from the north, the flight path crosses the rugged Yanshan mountain range and skirts sections of the Great Wall before leveling out over the flat Beijing plain. These features are more prominent on the right side as the aircraft aligns with the north-south runways. The left side mostly sees the featureless agricultural plain south of the city.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Capital (PEK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Beijing. The right side offers the stronger bookend views — Washington D.C. and the Chesapeake Bay at departure, and the Yanshan mountains with Great Wall remnants at arrival — while the long polar cruise segment offers similar Arctic and Siberian terrain regardless of side.
What can I see during takeoff from Washington Dulles International in Washington?
During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Right side for the best views. IAD departures on this route climb out heading almost due north, and with the aircraft banking gently right after takeoff, passengers on the right side get a good look at Washington D.C.'s skyline, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay tidal flats before the plane climbs into cruise. The left side mostly shows the rolling, tree-covered Piedmont with little contrast. Notable sights include: Potomac River, Washington D.C. skyline, Chesapeake Bay, Piedmont foothills.
What can I see when landing at Capital in Beijing?
When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into PEK from the north, the flight path crosses the rugged Yanshan mountain range and skirts sections of the Great Wall before leveling out over the flat Beijing plain. These features are more prominent on the right side as the aircraft aligns with the north-south runways. The left side mostly sees the featureless agricultural plain south of the city. Notable sights include: Yanshan mountain range, Great Wall of China (Badaling section), Beijing plain, Miyun Reservoir.
How long is the flight from Washington to Beijing?
The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Capital (PEK) takes about 13 hours 20 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,905 miles (11,113 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Washington to Beijing flight path pass over?
Hudson Bay, Baffin Island, Arctic sea ice pack, Verkhoyansk mountain range in Siberia, Mongolian steppe and Gobi Desert margins