The right side wins on both ends of the flight: Manhattan's skyline at takeoff and Atlanta's skyline plus distant Appalachian foothills during the cruise and descent give it more visual variety than the comparatively featureless coastal-plain views on the left.
Flight Path
The route's midpoint lies over the Virginia/North Carolina Piedmont, with the Blue Ridge Mountains visible as a low, distant ridge to the west and the flat Atlantic coastal plain fading toward the east.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LGA
RIGHTLGA departures headed southwest toward Atlanta put Manhattan's skyline directly off the right side of the aircraft during the initial climb, before the route continues over New Jersey. The left side mainly shows Long Island Sound and Queens rooftops, which is far less distinctive.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTArrivals into Atlanta from the northeast typically get vectored past downtown before turning to land westbound, putting the city's skyline and the wooded Piedmont terrain on the right side during the final descent. The left side mostly faces open suburban sprawl with no comparable landmark.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from La Guardia (LGA) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Atlanta. The right side wins on both ends of the flight: Manhattan's skyline at takeoff and Atlanta's skyline plus distant Appalachian foothills during the cruise and descent give it more visual variety than the comparatively featureless coastal-plain views on the left.
What can I see during takeoff from La Guardia in New York?
During takeoff from La Guardia (LGA), sit on the Right side for the best views. LGA departures headed southwest toward Atlanta put Manhattan's skyline directly off the right side of the aircraft during the initial climb, before the route continues over New Jersey. The left side mainly shows Long Island Sound and Queens rooftops, which is far less distinctive. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline (Empire State Building, One World Trade Center), East River, Rikers Island, Hudson River mouth.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into Atlanta from the northeast typically get vectored past downtown before turning to land westbound, putting the city's skyline and the wooded Piedmont terrain on the right side during the final descent. The left side mostly faces open suburban sprawl with no comparable landmark. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Piedmont forest canopy, Chattahoochee River tributaries, ATL's parallel runway complex.
How long is the flight from New York to Atlanta?
The flight from La Guardia (LGA) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes 2h 10m.
What does the New York to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint lies over the Virginia/North Carolina Piedmont, with the Blue Ridge Mountains visible as a low, distant ridge to the west and the flat Atlantic coastal plain fading toward the east.