Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Pittsburgh (pennsylva). The right side delivers the best views at both ends of this short flight — the Northern Virginia suburban-to-rural transition on departure and the dramatic Pittsburgh river confluence on approach. The flight path also tracks across the Allegheny Mountains, and the right side faces generally north, keeping the ridgelines of the Allegheny Front and Laurel Highlands visible as the aircraft crosses central Pennsylvania.

During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Dulles typically departs east on runway 01R/19L or uses runways oriented northeast, then turns northwest toward Pittsburgh. A right-side seat captures the Dulles terminal complex and the sprawling Northern Virginia suburbs giving way to the Blue Ridge foothills to the west. You also get a clear look back toward the Washington metro area as the aircraft banks. Notable sights include: Dulles terminal and air traffic control tower, Reston and Tysons Corner office clusters, Bull Run Mountains to the west, Loudoun County farmland patchwork.

When landing at Pittsburgh International (PIT), sit on the Right side for the best views. Pittsburgh International sits west of the city and typically lands on runways oriented east-west (28L/28R on westerly approaches or 10L/10R from the east). On a flight arriving from the east, the aircraft approaches from the east and the right side gives a clear view of the Ohio River confluence, downtown Pittsburgh's triangle, and the Monongahela and Allegheny river valleys. The left side faces south toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Downtown Pittsburgh Golden Triangle at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, Ohio River valley heading northwest, Monongahela River valley to the southeast, Pittsburgh's South Hills and the Allegheny Front ridge on the eastern horizon.

The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Pittsburgh International (PIT) takes Approximately 55 to 70 minutes.

The flight crosses the Allegheny Mountains of central Pennsylvania, including the Allegheny Front escarpment and the parallel ridge-and-valley terrain of the Ridge and Valley physiographic province. The Juniata River valley is visible below as the aircraft crosses the main Appalachian ridges. Laurel Highlands and Chestnut Ridge mark the final mountain terrain before the Pittsburgh basin opens up to the west.