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 Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Atlanta. The left side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight — the Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge view on departure is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. The landing view on the right is interesting but Atlanta's flat piedmont terrain is far less visually distinctive than the Cascades.
What can I see during takeoff from Portland International in Portland?
During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX departures heading east on runway 28L/28R turn southeast, putting the left side facing north toward the Columbia River and Mount Hood. You get a clear view of the Columbia River Gorge opening up to the east and Mount Hood's snow-capped cone rising to the southeast. Notable sights include: Mount Hood, Columbia River and Gorge, Portland city grid, Mount St. Helens (distant to the north).
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 arrivals typically come in from the northwest on runways 27L/27R or 26L/26R, meaning the right side faces south and southwest over the Atlanta metro sprawl. You get a broad view of the city skyline, Hartsfield's massive parallel runway complex, and Stone Mountain to the east. Notable sights include: Atlanta downtown skyline, Stone Mountain, Hartsfield-Jackson runway complex, Lake Lanier (distant to the north).
How long is the flight from Portland to Atlanta?
The flight from Portland International (PDX) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Portland to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast over the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho, then crosses the Rocky Mountains over southern Idaho and northern Utah before descending over the Great Plains of Kansas and Oklahoma. The Wasatch Range and Great Salt Lake may be visible to the south in the early portion. Over the mid-flight segment, the terrain flattens dramatically into the high plains of Kansas and Oklahoma. The Ozark Plateau of Arkansas provides some rolling relief before the flight descends into the flat Georgia piedmont approaching Atlanta.