The right side offers the standout Mt. Hood view on departure and the Atlanta skyline on arrival, giving it the edge over the left side's flatter Washington and rural Georgia scenery, even though the cruise portion over the Great Plains is largely featureless on both sides.
Flight Path
Rocky Mountain foothills over Idaho and Wyoming, the wide Great Plains of Nebraska and Kansas, and the Missouri and Mississippi River valleys before descending into the Appalachian foothills of Tennessee and Georgia
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PDX
RIGHTDeparting PDX and turning east-southeast, the right side of the aircraft faces south toward Mt. Hood's snow-capped cone rising above the Cascade foothills, a striking contrast to the flat Willamette Valley below. The left side mostly shows the Columbia River and Washington's low hills, which are pleasant but less dramatic.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTArriving at ATL from the northwest under typical west-flow operations, the right side of the aircraft faces south toward downtown Atlanta's skyline and the dense suburban sprawl of the metro area during the final descent. The left side mainly shows the flatter, more rural terrain of northwest Georgia.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Portland International (PDX) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Atlanta. The right side offers the standout Mt. Hood view on departure and the Atlanta skyline on arrival, giving it the edge over the left side's flatter Washington and rural Georgia scenery, even though the cruise portion over the Great Plains is largely featureless on both sides.
What can I see during takeoff from Portland International in Portland?
During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing PDX and turning east-southeast, the right side of the aircraft faces south toward Mt. Hood's snow-capped cone rising above the Cascade foothills, a striking contrast to the flat Willamette Valley below. The left side mostly shows the Columbia River and Washington's low hills, which are pleasant but less dramatic. Notable sights include: Mt. Hood, Willamette River, Cascade foothills, Portland's east side neighborhoods.
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. Arriving at ATL from the northwest under typical west-flow operations, the right side of the aircraft faces south toward downtown Atlanta's skyline and the dense suburban sprawl of the metro area during the final descent. The left side mainly shows the flatter, more rural terrain of northwest Georgia. Notable sights include: Atlanta downtown skyline, Chattahoochee River, dense suburban sprawl, Hartsfield-Jackson terminal complex.
How long is the flight from Portland to Atlanta?
The flight from Portland International (PDX) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes 4h 15m.
What does the Portland to Atlanta flight path pass over?
Rocky Mountain foothills over Idaho and Wyoming, the wide Great Plains of Nebraska and Kansas, and the Missouri and Mississippi River valleys before descending into the Appalachian foothills of Tennessee and Georgia