Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Norfolk to Washington. While takeoff offers naval interest on the right, the landing approach on the left provides unobstructed views of Washington D.C.'s most recognizable landmarks—the Potomac River and National Mall—which are far more visually distinctive than Norfolk's industrial waterfront.

During takeoff from Norfolk Ns (NGU), sit on the Right side for the best views. Norfolk International typically departs runways 03/21 or 05/23. Right-side seats capture the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads waterway immediately after liftoff, plus the naval station complex and shipyard facilities that dominate the landscape east of the airport. Notable sights include: Elizabeth River, Hampton Roads estuary, Naval Station Norfolk (largest naval base in the world), Newport News Shipbuilding.

When landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), sit on the Left side for the best views. DCA uses runways 01/19 or 02/20 depending on wind. Left-side seats during descent provide excellent views of the Potomac River, the Lincoln Memorial, and the National Mall—the most iconic landmarks on approach. The river curves dramatically just west of the airport, making it a natural reference point for final approach. Notable sights include: Potomac River, Lincoln Memorial and National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, Theodore Roosevelt Island.

The flight from Norfolk Ns (NGU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Virginia Peninsula, passing over the York River estuary and Colonial-era Williamsburg area in the midpoint. The Rappahannock River and Northern Neck peninsula are visible to the left (west) during cruise. As the aircraft approaches the Washington area, the Rappahannock gives way to the broader Potomac River valley, with the fall line visible as a subtle topographic change where the coastal plain meets the Piedmont.