Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Knoxville to Detroit. Right seat wins overall because the takeoff view of the Great Smoky Mountains is more dramatic and sustained than the landing view. The Smokies are visible for 30–40 minutes after departure, while the Detroit River approach is brief (10–15 minutes). The mountain scenery is also more distinctive than urban/industrial landing views.

During takeoff from Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right seat captures the Great Smoky Mountains immediately after departure. McGhee Tyson typically departs runway 19L or 19R heading north, placing the Smokies directly off the right wing during initial climb. The ridge lines and valleys are distinctive even at 5,000–8,000 feet. Notable sights include: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (ridgelines running northeast-southwest), Tennessee Valley below the airport, Knoxville urban area receding behind, foothills of the Cumberland Plateau to the northwest.

When landing at Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left seat offers views of the Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario during approach. Detroit Metro typically lands on runways 03L/03R or 22L/22R depending on wind. A northbound or eastbound approach puts the Detroit River, downtown Detroit skyline, and the Canadian shoreline on the left side during descent through 3,000–8,000 feet. Notable sights include: Detroit River (distinct water body separating Michigan and Ontario), Windsor, Ontario skyline across the river, downtown Detroit high-rises, Lake St. Clair to the northeast.

The flight from Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) to Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses central Ohio, passing east of Columbus and Cincinnati. At cruise altitude (around 25,000–30,000 feet), the Ohio River is occasionally visible as a thin line marking the Kentucky–Ohio border. The landscape transitions from Appalachian foothills (Tennessee/Kentucky) to rolling farmland (Ohio), then flattens into the glaciated plains of Michigan. Lake Erie becomes visible on the left (north) side during descent into Detroit, appearing as a large, hazy blue expanse on the horizon 30–40 miles away.