Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Reykjavik to Washington. The left side wins overall for the spectacular Icelandic departure views of Mount Esja, Reykjavik, and Faxaflói Bay, which are genuinely dramatic and unique. The Dulles arrival views on the right are interesting but relatively modest suburban scenery. Over the ocean crossing the views are symmetric, so the takeoff experience tips the balance to the left.

During takeoff from Reykjavik (RKV), sit on the Left side for the best views. RKV's main runway 01/19 means departures heading roughly north then turning southeast toward the Atlantic. The left side faces east toward Reykjavik city and Mount Esja, the dominant flat-topped mountain rising directly behind the capital. You get a clear view of Faxaflói Bay and the Reykjanes Peninsula as the aircraft banks. Notable sights include: Mount Esja (914m flat-topped ridge northeast of city), Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavik city center and Hallgrímskirkja church spire, Reykjanes Peninsula lava fields.

When landing at Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Dulles typically uses runways 01L/R for northerly arrivals or 19L/R for southerly, with most approaches from the east or northeast. A right-side seat on approach from the northeast gives views over the Potomac River, the Virginia suburbs, and on clear days the Washington Monument and Capitol dome in the distance to the northeast. The left side faces away toward open Virginia countryside. Notable sights include: Potomac River, Washington DC skyline (Washington Monument, Capitol dome) visible to the northeast, Tysons Corner urban cluster, Virginia piedmont suburbs.

The flight from Reykjavik (RKV) to Washington Dulles International (IAD) takes Approximately 7 to 8 hours.

The great circle route crosses the North Atlantic, passing south of Greenland's tip (Cape Farewell) visible as distant ice-covered terrain on clear days, then over the open North Atlantic with possible iceberg sightings at lower latitudes, followed by the Canadian Maritime provinces (Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia coastline), then the northeastern US seaboard before descending into Virginia.