The left side captures the dramatic Smoky Mountains departure view, and during the cruise portion southbound the left side also tracks closer to the Blue Ridge foothills terrain. The right side landing view over Atlanta is good but the Smokies on departure are the scenic highlight of this short flight.
Flown TYS to ATL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Knoxville to Atlanta is 152 miles (245 km), a flight of about 50 minutes.
The flight crosses the Tennessee-Georgia state line over the Blue Ridge foothills near Dalton, Georgia. The Cohutta Wilderness and Chattahoochee National Forest ridgelines are visible below at cruise altitude — parallel northeast-southwest trending forested ridges gradually flattening as the aircraft descends toward the Georgia Piedmont. The Etowah River valley and the broad flat basin around Canton, Georgia mark the transition from Appalachian terrain to the rolling Piedmont plain north of Atlanta.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from TYS
LEFTTYS runway 23L departure heads southwest, putting the Great Smoky Mountains and the main Appalachian ridgelines on the left (southeast) side. You get a clear look back at the Smokies as the aircraft climbs and turns toward Atlanta.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTATL arrivals from the north typically use runways 27L/27R or 28L/28R heading west, placing the Atlanta downtown skyline and the sprawling metro grid on the right (north) side during final approach. The city center with its recognizable cluster of towers is clearly visible before touchdown.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Knoxville to Atlanta. The left side captures the dramatic Smoky Mountains departure view, and during the cruise portion southbound the left side also tracks closer to the Blue Ridge foothills terrain. The right side landing view over Atlanta is good but the Smokies on departure are the scenic highlight of this short flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Mc Ghee Tyson in Knoxville?
During takeoff from Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS), sit on the Left side for the best views. TYS runway 23L departure heads southwest, putting the Great Smoky Mountains and the main Appalachian ridgelines on the left (southeast) side. You get a clear look back at the Smokies as the aircraft climbs and turns toward Atlanta. Notable sights include: Great Smoky Mountains ridgeline, French Broad River valley, downtown Knoxville grid, Clinch River corridor.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. ATL arrivals from the north typically use runways 27L/27R or 28L/28R heading west, placing the Atlanta downtown skyline and the sprawling metro grid on the right (north) side during final approach. The city center with its recognizable cluster of towers is clearly visible before touchdown. Notable sights include: Atlanta downtown skyline, Stone Mountain (distant to the northeast), Hartsfield-Jackson airport complex itself, I-285 perimeter highway loop.
How long is the flight from Knoxville to Atlanta?
The flight from Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes about 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 152 miles (245 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Knoxville to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Tennessee-Georgia state line over the Blue Ridge foothills near Dalton, Georgia. The Cohutta Wilderness and Chattahoochee National Forest ridgelines are visible below at cruise altitude — parallel northeast-southwest trending forested ridges gradually flattening as the aircraft descends toward the Georgia Piedmont. The Etowah River valley and the broad flat basin around Canton, Georgia mark the transition from Appalachian terrain to the rolling Piedmont plain north of Atlanta.