Left side wins both ends of the flight. At departure you get Iceland's most dramatic geography — Snæfellsjökull, Faxaflói Bay, and Reykjavik. At arrival you get Washington D.C. and the Potomac. Over the open North Atlantic the views are symmetric, but the bookends strongly favor the left.
Flown KEF to IAD? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Keflavik to Washington is 2,793 miles (4,495 km), a flight of about 6 hours 30 minutes.
The flight tracks southwest over the North Atlantic on standard NAT (North Atlantic Track) routing. Greenland's southern tip and iceberg-filled waters of the Labrador Sea may be visible early in the flight on the left side if routing passes near Cape Farewell. The flight then crosses the largely featureless open North Atlantic, with occasional iceberg fields visible at lower latitudes. Approaching North America, the coast of Newfoundland or Nova Scotia appears depending on the day's track, followed by the Gulf of Maine and New England coastline during descent.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from KEF
LEFTKeflavik typically departs eastward on runway 28/10, meaning a left-side seat faces north toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano. As the aircraft climbs and turns southeast toward the transatlantic track, the left side also captures Reykjavik city and Faxaflói Bay spread out below.
Landing at IAD
LEFTDulles typically receives arrivals from the northeast on runway 19L/19R heading south, or from the west on runway 01. On the standard approach from the northeast over the mid-Atlantic states, the left side faces east toward Washington D.C. itself — the National Mall, Potomac River, and the broader metro area are clearly visible during descent. The right side looks west into suburban Virginia with less to see.
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 Keflavik Nas (KEF) to Washington Dulles International (IAD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Keflavik to Washington. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At departure you get Iceland's most dramatic geography — Snæfellsjökull, Faxaflói Bay, and Reykjavik. At arrival you get Washington D.C. and the Potomac. Over the open North Atlantic the views are symmetric, but the bookends strongly favor the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Keflavik Nas in Keflavik?
During takeoff from Keflavik Nas (KEF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Keflavik typically departs eastward on runway 28/10, meaning a left-side seat faces north toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano. As the aircraft climbs and turns southeast toward the transatlantic track, the left side also captures Reykjavik city and Faxaflói Bay spread out below. Notable sights include: Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano to the north, Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavik city and harbor, Mount Esja ridge above the capital.
What can I see when landing at Washington Dulles International in Washington?
When landing at Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dulles typically receives arrivals from the northeast on runway 19L/19R heading south, or from the west on runway 01. On the standard approach from the northeast over the mid-Atlantic states, the left side faces east toward Washington D.C. itself — the National Mall, Potomac River, and the broader metro area are clearly visible during descent. The right side looks west into suburban Virginia with less to see. Notable sights include: Washington D.C. city center and National Mall, Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay visible earlier in descent, Blue Ridge Mountains to the west on right side.
How long is the flight from Keflavik to Washington?
The flight from Keflavik Nas (KEF) to Washington Dulles International (IAD) takes about 6 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,793 miles (4,495 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Keflavik to Washington flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southwest over the North Atlantic on standard NAT (North Atlantic Track) routing. Greenland's southern tip and iceberg-filled waters of the Labrador Sea may be visible early in the flight on the left side if routing passes near Cape Farewell. The flight then crosses the largely featureless open North Atlantic, with occasional iceberg fields visible at lower latitudes. Approaching North America, the coast of Newfoundland or Nova Scotia appears depending on the day's track, followed by the Gulf of Maine and New England coastline during descent.