Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from St. Louis to Fort Lauderdale. While takeoff favors the right for the Mississippi River, the landing view of the Atlantic coastline and Fort Lauderdale's distinctive beachfront is more visually rewarding and memorable. Left-side seats capture the flight's geographic transition from inland river systems to coastal geography.

During takeoff from Lambert St Louis International (STL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Mississippi River's dramatic meanders as the aircraft climbs out on typical eastbound departure headings. The river's oxbow bends are particularly distinctive from 5,000-10,000 feet and remain visible for the first 15-20 minutes of climb. Notable sights include: Mississippi River with prominent oxbow curves, Gateway Arch (visible as a small gleaming structure near the riverbank in early climb), downtown St. Louis skyline to the left, and the Illinois bluffs across the river to the right.

When landing at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best view of the Atlantic coastline, Fort Lauderdale's beach strip, and the Intracoastal Waterway during final approach. Most arrivals use runways 09L/09R (eastbound), placing the coast directly to the left during descent. Notable sights include: Atlantic Ocean with the Gulf Stream's darker blue water visible offshore, Fort Lauderdale's beachfront high-rise corridor, the Intracoastal Waterway's distinctive parallel waterway, and Port Everglades' container terminals and cruise ship berths.

The flight from Lambert St Louis International (STL) to Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes.

The flight path crosses central Tennessee (Cumberland River visible near Nashville area), then transitions over the Appalachian foothills of Georgia and the Carolinas. The Atlantic coast becomes visible roughly 45 minutes before landing, with the Florida peninsula's distinctive shape appearing around 30 minutes out. The Everglades' flat, water-logged terrain becomes apparent in the final 20 minutes of descent.