The left side wins across all phases: Orlando's skyline and Disney World during departure, a cruise track that skirts the Gulf coast near Mobile Bay and passes within sight of Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans, and a final approach that reveals the Dallas skyline and Trinity River.
Flight Path
The great-circle route passes over the Florida Big Bend coastline near Apalachee Bay, close to Mobile Bay in Alabama, and near the Mississippi/Louisiana border within sight of Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans area before crossing into the flat plains of Louisiana and East Texas.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from MCO
LEFTAs the aircraft climbs out of MCO and banks onto its westbound heading toward Dallas, the left side faces south toward Orlando's downtown skyline and the Walt Disney World resort area, with Central Florida's numerous lakes glinting below. The right side mostly shows flat scrubland and the Atlantic coastal plain receding behind.
Landing at DFW
LEFTOn approach into DFW from the east, the aircraft typically turns south to align with the runways, putting downtown Dallas and the Trinity River on the left side during the base turn and final descent. The right side faces mostly flat, undeveloped North Texas plains with little to distinguish it.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Orlando International (MCO) to Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Orlando to Dallas-Fort Worth. The left side wins across all phases: Orlando's skyline and Disney World during departure, a cruise track that skirts the Gulf coast near Mobile Bay and passes within sight of Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans, and a final approach that reveals the Dallas skyline and Trinity River.
What can I see during takeoff from Orlando International in Orlando?
During takeoff from Orlando International (MCO), sit on the Left side for the best views. As the aircraft climbs out of MCO and banks onto its westbound heading toward Dallas, the left side faces south toward Orlando's downtown skyline and the Walt Disney World resort area, with Central Florida's numerous lakes glinting below. The right side mostly shows flat scrubland and the Atlantic coastal plain receding behind. Notable sights include: Downtown Orlando skyline, Walt Disney World (Magic Kingdom/EPCOT area), Lake Buena Vista chain of lakes, Orlando's Lake Nona.
What can I see when landing at Dallas Fort Worth International in Dallas-Fort Worth?
When landing at Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into DFW from the east, the aircraft typically turns south to align with the runways, putting downtown Dallas and the Trinity River on the left side during the base turn and final descent. The right side faces mostly flat, undeveloped North Texas plains with little to distinguish it. Notable sights include: Downtown Dallas skyline, Trinity River, White Rock Lake, Dallas-Fort Worth suburban sprawl.
How long is the flight from Orlando to Dallas-Fort Worth?
The flight from Orlando International (MCO) to Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) takes 2h 50m.
What does the Orlando to Dallas-Fort Worth flight path pass over?
The great-circle route passes over the Florida Big Bend coastline near Apalachee Bay, close to Mobile Bay in Alabama, and near the Mississippi/Louisiana border within sight of Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans area before crossing into the flat plains of Louisiana and East Texas.