About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Harrisburg International (MDT) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Harrisburg to Atlanta. Right side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise portion heading southwest, the right side also faces northwest, keeping the Appalachian ridges of Virginia and North Carolina in view longer before they flatten into the Georgia Piedmont.
What can I see during takeoff from Harrisburg International in Harrisburg?
During takeoff from Harrisburg International (MDT), sit on the Right side for the best views. MDT typically departs runway 13 heading southeast, which puts the right side facing northeast toward the Susquehanna River and the Blue Mountain ridge. You get a clear view of the river valley and the first ridge of the Appalachians as you climb out. Notable sights include: Susquehanna River broad curves near Harrisburg, Blue Mountain ridge (northernmost Appalachian ridge), City of Harrisburg downtown and State Capitol dome, Three Mile Island cooling towers on the Susquehanna.
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. ATL's primary arrival runways from the north are 27L/27R or 28L/28R, meaning the aircraft approaches from the east heading west. A right-side seat faces north, giving views over the Atlanta metro sprawl, Midtown, and Buckhead as you descend. Left side faces south toward less distinctive suburban terrain. Notable sights include: Atlanta downtown skyline and Midtown towers, Stone Mountain (distinctive granite dome 16 miles east of downtown), Lake Allatoona to the northwest, Chattahoochee River corridor.
How long is the flight from Harrisburg to Atlanta?
The flight from Harrisburg International (MDT) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Harrisburg to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southwest over the Virginia Piedmont, crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains near Roanoke, then the rolling foothills of the North Carolina Piedmont. The New River and Roanoke River valleys are visible. As you enter Georgia, the terrain flattens into the red-clay Georgia Piedmont with pine forest. The Appalachian ridgeline is the dominant geographic feature for roughly the first half of the flight.