Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Raleigh-durham. The left side delivers the more dramatic departure view over the Potomac and DC, and during cruise the left side tracks closer to the I-85 corridor and the Virginia piedmont. While the right side has a slight edge on landing, the takeoff view from the left is the highlight of this short flight.

During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. IAD typically departs east on runway 01R/19L or southeast on runway 12/30. A left-side seat after eastward departure gives you a view back toward the Washington DC skyline, the Potomac River, and the National Mall area as the aircraft banks south. You'll see the urban grid of DC and the broad silver ribbon of the Potomac clearly. Notable sights include: Potomac River, Washington DC skyline and National Mall corridor, Dulles Toll Road corridor below, Fairfax County suburban sprawl.

When landing at Raleigh Durham International (RDU), sit on the Right side for the best views. RDU primarily uses runways 5L/23R and 5R/23L, with arrivals often from the northwest on heading 050. A right-side seat on approach from the northwest gives views over Jordan Lake and the Research Triangle Park campus before touchdown. The Falls Lake reservoir is also visible to the north on this approach. Notable sights include: Falls Lake reservoir, Jordan Lake, Research Triangle Park campus, Raleigh city skyline to the southeast.

The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Raleigh Durham International (RDU) takes Approximately 55 to 70 minutes.

The flight crosses the Virginia Piedmont, passing over the rolling terrain south of Richmond. The Appomattox River and Roanoke River watersheds are visible as dendritic stream patterns in the flat-to-gently-rolling farmland and pine forest of central Virginia. No significant mountain ranges cross this route — the Blue Ridge is well to the west. The NC-VA state line area shows a transition from Virginia mixed hardwood forest to North Carolina pine-dominated piedmont.