About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Salt Lake City International (SLC) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam. The right side wins overall because the Wasatch Front and Great Salt Lake at departure are among the most visually dramatic airport departures in the American West. The landing views on the left are interesting but relatively flat. Right side also captures Canadian Rockies and Greenland ice sheet glimpses along the polar routing.
What can I see during takeoff from Salt Lake City International in Salt Lake City?
During takeoff from Salt Lake City International (SLC), sit on the Right side for the best views. SLC typically departs westbound on runway 34L/34R or eastbound on 16L/16R. For northbound departures toward the polar route, the aircraft banks right, giving the right side a direct view of the Wasatch Front rising sharply from the valley floor. The right side also captures the Great Salt Lake's shallow, mineral-stained waters as the plane climbs north. Notable sights include: Wasatch Front (Mount Olympus, Twin Peaks), Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City grid downtown, Antelope Island in the lake.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol approaches are typically from the east or northeast, with the aircraft descending over the Netherlands from the IJsselmeer side. The left side captures the IJsselmeer, the polder landscape of Flevoland, and then Amsterdam's canal ring and harbor as you pass over the city before turning final. The right side faces south toward open farmland with fewer distinctive features. Notable sights include: IJsselmeer, Amsterdam canal ring and harbor, Flevoland polders, North Sea Canal (Noordzeekanaal).
How long is the flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam?
The flight from Salt Lake City International (SLC) to Schiphol (AMS) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.
What does the Salt Lake City to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
After climbing over the Wasatch and Great Basin, the route tracks northeast over southern Canada, crossing the Canadian Rockies near Calgary, then over Hudson Bay, southern Greenland's ice sheet and fjords, Iceland's volcanic plateau visible to the north, the Norwegian Sea, and finally descending over the North Sea and Dutch coast into Schiphol.