While most of the route crosses flat Midwestern and Southern farmland, the right side edges ahead thanks to the Georgia Piedmont foothills and the Atlanta skyline visible during the final descent, giving slightly more terrain variety than the mostly featureless departure side.
Flight Path
Flat agricultural plains of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, with the Ohio River valley and low rolling hills of Kentucky and Tennessee visible before the terrain rises slightly into the Georgia Piedmont near Atlanta.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from MSP
LEFTDeparting MSP toward the southeast, the left side offers a brief but clear view of the Twin Cities skyline and the Mississippi River as the plane climbs over the Minnesota River valley before leveling off over flat farmland.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTOn approach to ATL from the north, the right side gives passengers a look at the low wooded ridges of the Georgia Piedmont foothills before the Atlanta skyline and the dense grid of suburban Atlanta come into view just before touchdown.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Minneapolis to Atlanta. While most of the route crosses flat Midwestern and Southern farmland, the right side edges ahead thanks to the Georgia Piedmont foothills and the Atlanta skyline visible during the final descent, giving slightly more terrain variety than the mostly featureless departure side.
What can I see during takeoff from Minneapolis St Paul International in Minneapolis?
During takeoff from Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing MSP toward the southeast, the left side offers a brief but clear view of the Twin Cities skyline and the Mississippi River as the plane climbs over the Minnesota River valley before leveling off over flat farmland. Notable sights include: Minneapolis-St. Paul skyline, Mississippi River, Minnesota River confluence.
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. On approach to ATL from the north, the right side gives passengers a look at the low wooded ridges of the Georgia Piedmont foothills before the Atlanta skyline and the dense grid of suburban Atlanta come into view just before touchdown. Notable sights include: Georgia Piedmont foothills, Chattahoochee River, Atlanta downtown skyline.
How long is the flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta?
The flight from Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes 2h 10m.
What does the Minneapolis to Atlanta flight path pass over?
Flat agricultural plains of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, with the Ohio River valley and low rolling hills of Kentucky and Tennessee visible before the terrain rises slightly into the Georgia Piedmont near Atlanta.