While the Smoky Mountains give the right side a nice start, the left side's payoff on arrival — the Potomac River approach past the Washington Monument and Capitol — is a uniquely iconic sequence that few routes in the country can match.
Flown TYS to DCA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Knoxville to Washington is 436 miles (702 km), a flight of about 1 hour 25 minutes.
Appalachian ridge-and-valley terrain, Blue Ridge Mountains near the Virginia-North Carolina border, and the Shenandoah Valley before the Piedmont flattens out toward Washington DC
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from TYS
RIGHTDeparting TYS toward the northeast, the Great Smoky Mountains and the ridges of the Tennessee Valley lie off to the south, putting them on the right side during the climb. Passengers get a brief but genuine view of layered green ridgelines and the Tennessee River valley before the plane levels off.
Landing at DCA
LEFTDCA's River Visual approach to Runway 19 tracks south along the Potomac, and on the final descent the National Mall and its monuments sit on the east bank, directly on the left side of the aircraft. This is one of the most recognizable landing sequences in US commercial aviation, with the Washington Monument and Capitol dome passing almost at eye level.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) to Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Knoxville to Washington. While the Smoky Mountains give the right side a nice start, the left side's payoff on arrival — the Potomac River approach past the Washington Monument and Capitol — is a uniquely iconic sequence that few routes in the country can match.
What can I see during takeoff from Mc Ghee Tyson in Knoxville?
During takeoff from Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing TYS toward the northeast, the Great Smoky Mountains and the ridges of the Tennessee Valley lie off to the south, putting them on the right side during the climb. Passengers get a brief but genuine view of layered green ridgelines and the Tennessee River valley before the plane levels off. Notable sights include: Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee River valley, Chilhowee Mountain ridge, Maryville/Alcoa foothills.
What can I see when landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National in Washington?
When landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), sit on the Left side for the best views. DCA's River Visual approach to Runway 19 tracks south along the Potomac, and on the final descent the National Mall and its monuments sit on the east bank, directly on the left side of the aircraft. This is one of the most recognizable landing sequences in US commercial aviation, with the Washington Monument and Capitol dome passing almost at eye level. Notable sights include: Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol dome, National Mall, Potomac River.
How long is the flight from Knoxville to Washington?
The flight from Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) to Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 436 miles (702 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Knoxville to Washington flight path pass over?
Appalachian ridge-and-valley terrain, Blue Ridge Mountains near the Virginia-North Carolina border, and the Shenandoah Valley before the Piedmont flattens out toward Washington DC