The left side captures both the Appalachian terrain near departure and the striking Wasatch Range on arrival, giving it more consistent mountain drama across the whole flight compared to the flatter plains and lake-basin views on the right.
Flown RDU to SLC? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Raleigh-Durham to Salt Lake City is 1,819 miles (2,928 km), a flight of about 4 hours 5 minutes.
Appalachian foothills of Tennessee, the Mississippi and Missouri River valleys, the Great Plains of Kansas, and the Rocky Mountain front range in Colorado before descending into the Salt Lake Valley
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from RDU
LEFTDeparting RDU to the southwest before turning west, left-side passengers get a good look at the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains rolling across western North Carolina and Tennessee, a much more textured view than the flat Piedmont and Ohio Valley farmland visible to the north.
Landing at SLC
LEFTOn approach into SLC, the flight path curves around from the east, putting the dramatic north-south wall of the Wasatch Range and its snow-streaked peaks on the left side as the plane lines up for the runway, while the right side mostly faces the flatter Great Salt Lake basin.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Raleigh Durham International (RDU) to Salt Lake City International (SLC)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Raleigh-Durham to Salt Lake City. The left side captures both the Appalachian terrain near departure and the striking Wasatch Range on arrival, giving it more consistent mountain drama across the whole flight compared to the flatter plains and lake-basin views on the right.
What can I see during takeoff from Raleigh Durham International in Raleigh-Durham?
During takeoff from Raleigh Durham International (RDU), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing RDU to the southwest before turning west, left-side passengers get a good look at the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains rolling across western North Carolina and Tennessee, a much more textured view than the flat Piedmont and Ohio Valley farmland visible to the north. Notable sights include: Blue Ridge Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains, Pisgah National Forest ridgelines.
What can I see when landing at Salt Lake City International in Salt Lake City?
When landing at Salt Lake City International (SLC), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into SLC, the flight path curves around from the east, putting the dramatic north-south wall of the Wasatch Range and its snow-streaked peaks on the left side as the plane lines up for the runway, while the right side mostly faces the flatter Great Salt Lake basin. Notable sights include: Wasatch Range, Mount Olympus, Salt Lake Valley, Great Salt Lake shoreline.
How long is the flight from Raleigh-Durham to Salt Lake City?
The flight from Raleigh Durham International (RDU) to Salt Lake City International (SLC) takes about 4 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,819 miles (2,928 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Raleigh-Durham to Salt Lake City flight path pass over?
Appalachian foothills of Tennessee, the Mississippi and Missouri River valleys, the Great Plains of Kansas, and the Rocky Mountain front range in Colorado before descending into the Salt Lake Valley