The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a dramatic close-up of Mount Hood during departure and a view of Orlando's skyline and Disney World during arrival, while the left side offers only distant, hazier mountain views and a plain approach over scrubland.
Flown PDX to MCO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Portland to Orlando is 2,531 miles (4,073 km), a flight of about 5 hours 20 minutes.
The route crosses the Rocky Mountains over Idaho and Wyoming, then the flat expanse of the Great Plains, before passing over the Mississippi River basin and the Southeastern coastal plain into Florida.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from PDX
RIGHTAfter departing PDX and banking onto the eastbound track, the right (south-facing) side gets a close, dramatic view of snow-capped Mount Hood rising over the Willamette Valley. The left side only catches Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams at a much greater, hazier distance to the north.
Landing at MCO
RIGHTOn the turn to final approach into MCO, the right (west-facing) side overlooks Orlando's lake-studded suburbs, with downtown Orlando's skyline and the distinctive dome of Epcot at Walt Disney World visible in the distance. The left side mostly shows flat, undeveloped scrubland east of the airport.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Portland International (PDX) to Orlando International (MCO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Orlando. The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a dramatic close-up of Mount Hood during departure and a view of Orlando's skyline and Disney World during arrival, while the left side offers only distant, hazier mountain views and a plain approach over scrubland.
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. After departing PDX and banking onto the eastbound track, the right (south-facing) side gets a close, dramatic view of snow-capped Mount Hood rising over the Willamette Valley. The left side only catches Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams at a much greater, hazier distance to the north. Notable sights include: Mount Hood, Willamette Valley farmland, Cascade foothills, distant Mount Jefferson.
What can I see when landing at Orlando International in Orlando?
When landing at Orlando International (MCO), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the turn to final approach into MCO, the right (west-facing) side overlooks Orlando's lake-studded suburbs, with downtown Orlando's skyline and the distinctive dome of Epcot at Walt Disney World visible in the distance. The left side mostly shows flat, undeveloped scrubland east of the airport. Notable sights include: Downtown Orlando skyline, Walt Disney World (Epcot's geodesic sphere), Lake Apopka, Orlando's chain of lakes.
How long is the flight from Portland to Orlando?
The flight from Portland International (PDX) to Orlando International (MCO) takes about 5 hours 20 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,531 miles (4,073 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Portland to Orlando flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Rocky Mountains over Idaho and Wyoming, then the flat expanse of the Great Plains, before passing over the Mississippi River basin and the Southeastern coastal plain into Florida.