The left side wins narrowly due to the strong St. Louis departure view with the Gateway Arch and river, which offers a more dramatic and recognizable single moment than the flat Midwest and Appalachian foothill cruise scenery in between; the right side's Baltimore harbor approach is good but doesn't fully offset it.
Flown STL to BWI? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
St. Louis to Baltimore is 736 miles (1,184 km), a flight of about 1 hour 55 minutes.
Ohio River valley, rolling Appalachian foothills of West Virginia and western Maryland, Allegheny Mountains ridgelines
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from STL
LEFTDeparting STL to the east/northeast, the left side gives passengers a view of downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch along the Mississippi River as the plane climbs out, a distinctive urban landmark rarely matched on the right.
Landing at BWI
RIGHTOn approach into BWI from the west, the right side offers views over Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the Patapsco River estuary as the plane descends toward the Chesapeake Bay shoreline, a much more visually interesting sequence than the flat suburban terrain on the left.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lambert St Louis International (STL) to Baltimore Washington International (BWI)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from St. Louis to Baltimore. The left side wins narrowly due to the strong St. Louis departure view with the Gateway Arch and river, which offers a more dramatic and recognizable single moment than the flat Midwest and Appalachian foothill cruise scenery in between; the right side's Baltimore harbor approach is good but doesn't fully offset it.
What can I see during takeoff from Lambert St Louis International in St. Louis?
During takeoff from Lambert St Louis International (STL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing STL to the east/northeast, the left side gives passengers a view of downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch along the Mississippi River as the plane climbs out, a distinctive urban landmark rarely matched on the right. Notable sights include: Gateway Arch, downtown St. Louis skyline, Mississippi River, Eads Bridge.
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. On approach into BWI from the west, the right side offers views over Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the Patapsco River estuary as the plane descends toward the Chesapeake Bay shoreline, a much more visually interesting sequence than the flat suburban terrain on the left. Notable sights include: Baltimore Inner Harbor, Patapsco River, Chesapeake Bay shoreline, Baltimore downtown skyline.
How long is the flight from St. Louis to Baltimore?
The flight from Lambert St Louis International (STL) to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 736 miles (1,184 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the St. Louis to Baltimore flight path pass over?
Ohio River valley, rolling Appalachian foothills of West Virginia and western Maryland, Allegheny Mountains ridgelines