The left side wins overall because the cruise phase crosses the Ozark foothills in Arkansas and the Appalachian ridges and Shenandoah Valley in Tennessee and Virginia, offering sustained terrain variety over nearly two hours of flight, outweighing the shorter but strong Chesapeake Bay view on descent.
Flown SKF to BWI? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Antonio to Baltimore is 1,417 miles (2,280 km), a flight of about 2 hours 45 minutes.
Ouachita and Ozark foothills in Arkansas, the Mississippi River crossing near Memphis, and the ridge-and-valley Appalachians through Tennessee and southwestern Virginia including the Shenandoah Valley
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SKF
LEFTDeparting SKF to the north before turning east gives left-side passengers a clear look at downtown San Antonio and the Alamo district, with the rolling Texas Hill Country stretching north beyond the city. The right side mostly shows flat suburban sprawl and farmland south of the airfield.
Landing at BWI
RIGHTArrivals into BWI from the south or west typically cross the northern Chesapeake Bay, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of the bay's shoreline, the Patapsco River, and Baltimore's Inner Harbor skyline just before touchdown. The left side during descent mostly shows flat Maryland farmland and suburbs with no major water features.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lackland Afb Kelly Fld Annex (SKF) to Baltimore Washington International (BWI)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Antonio to Baltimore. The left side wins overall because the cruise phase crosses the Ozark foothills in Arkansas and the Appalachian ridges and Shenandoah Valley in Tennessee and Virginia, offering sustained terrain variety over nearly two hours of flight, outweighing the shorter but strong Chesapeake Bay view on descent.
What can I see during takeoff from Lackland Afb Kelly Fld Annex in San Antonio?
During takeoff from Lackland Afb Kelly Fld Annex (SKF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing SKF to the north before turning east gives left-side passengers a clear look at downtown San Antonio and the Alamo district, with the rolling Texas Hill Country stretching north beyond the city. The right side mostly shows flat suburban sprawl and farmland south of the airfield. Notable sights include: Downtown San Antonio skyline, San Antonio River bends, Texas Hill Country foothills.
What can I see when landing at Baltimore Washington International in Baltimore?
When landing at Baltimore Washington International (BWI), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into BWI from the south or west typically cross the northern Chesapeake Bay, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of the bay's shoreline, the Patapsco River, and Baltimore's Inner Harbor skyline just before touchdown. The left side during descent mostly shows flat Maryland farmland and suburbs with no major water features. Notable sights include: Chesapeake Bay shoreline, Patapsco River, Baltimore Inner Harbor skyline, Key Bridge area.
How long is the flight from San Antonio to Baltimore?
The flight from Lackland Afb Kelly Fld Annex (SKF) to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) takes about 2 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,417 miles (2,280 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Antonio to Baltimore flight path pass over?
Ouachita and Ozark foothills in Arkansas, the Mississippi River crossing near Memphis, and the ridge-and-valley Appalachians through Tennessee and southwestern Virginia including the Shenandoah Valley