New Orleans to Atlanta is 422 miles (679 km), a flight of about 1 hour 20 minutes.
The left side captures the most dramatic departure scenery — Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi River crescent, and the New Orleans city layout — which is more visually distinctive than the Atlanta approach views. The flight path over Mississippi and Alabama offers flat pine forest terrain on both sides at cruise altitude, so the departure wins the overall recommendation.
Flight Path
The flight tracks northeast over the Mississippi-Alabama border region, crossing the pine forests and low hills of central Mississippi, then the Alabama Black Belt agricultural zone, before entering the Piedmont foothills of northwest Georgia. The Talladega National Forest and the Coosa River valley are crossed in Alabama. No significant mountain terrain — the Appalachian foothills only begin appearing faintly near the Georgia border at cruise altitude.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from NBG
LEFTNAS JRB New Orleans typically departs runway 04 heading northeast, which puts the left side facing northwest toward Lake Pontchartrain and the city of New Orleans. You get a clear view of the lake's southern shore, the city grid, and the Mississippi River's distinctive crescent bend.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta typically uses runways 08L/08R or 09L/09R for eastward arrivals, or approaches from the north on 26L/26R. On a northeast approach from New Orleans, aircraft often line up from the southwest, putting the right side facing north toward downtown Atlanta's skyline and Stone Mountain in the distance to the northeast.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from New Orleans Nas Jrb (NBG) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New Orleans to Atlanta. The left side captures the most dramatic departure scenery — Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi River crescent, and the New Orleans city layout — which is more visually distinctive than the Atlanta approach views. The flight path over Mississippi and Alabama offers flat pine forest terrain on both sides at cruise altitude, so the departure wins the overall recommendation.
What can I see during takeoff from New Orleans Nas Jrb in New Orleans?
During takeoff from New Orleans Nas Jrb (NBG), sit on the Left side for the best views. NAS JRB New Orleans typically departs runway 04 heading northeast, which puts the left side facing northwest toward Lake Pontchartrain and the city of New Orleans. You get a clear view of the lake's southern shore, the city grid, and the Mississippi River's distinctive crescent bend. Notable sights include: Lake Pontchartrain southern shoreline, Mississippi River crescent bend, New Orleans city grid and French Quarter area, Lake Borgne to the east.
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. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta typically uses runways 08L/08R or 09L/09R for eastward arrivals, or approaches from the north on 26L/26R. On a northeast approach from New Orleans, aircraft often line up from the southwest, putting the right side facing north toward downtown Atlanta's skyline and Stone Mountain in the distance to the northeast. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain to the northeast, Lake Allatoona to the northwest, Chattahoochee River corridor.
How long is the flight from New Orleans to Atlanta?
The flight from New Orleans Nas Jrb (NBG) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 422 miles (679 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the New Orleans to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast over the Mississippi-Alabama border region, crossing the pine forests and low hills of central Mississippi, then the Alabama Black Belt agricultural zone, before entering the Piedmont foothills of northwest Georgia. The Talladega National Forest and the Coosa River valley are crossed in Alabama. No significant mountain terrain — the Appalachian foothills only begin appearing faintly near the Georgia border at cruise altitude.