Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Ottawa to Winnipeg. While takeoff favors the left for Gatineau Hills and river views, the landing approach dominates the flight experience—right seats provide superior views of the Red River's approach to Winnipeg and the prairie landscape during descent, which is typically more visually engaging than the forested climb-out.

During takeoff from Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International (YOW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ottawa typically departs eastbound (Runway 04 or 22 depending on wind), but when departing westbound toward Winnipeg, left seats capture the Gatineau Hills and the Ottawa River valley as you climb. The left side also frames the transition from urban Ottawa into the forested Canadian Shield terrain that dominates the westbound route. Notable sights include: Gatineau Hills (Quebec side, north of the river), Ottawa River, Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa skyline (receding behind), Canadian Shield forest extending west.

When landing at Winnipeg International (YWG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Winnipeg's primary runways are 18/36 (north-south). On descent from the east, right-side seats offer views of the Red River as it approaches the city, plus the flat prairie landscape and the distinctive grid of Winnipeg's urban layout spreading across the horizon. The Red River's serpentine path is a strong visual reference during final approach. Notable sights include: Red River (meandering through the city), Winnipeg urban grid and downtown skyline, flat prairie extending to the horizon, Assiniboine River confluence (visible as a darker line joining the Red River).

The flight from Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International (YOW) to Winnipeg International (YWG) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Canadian Shield for the first 90 minutes, passing over countless lakes, rivers, and boreal forest (particularly visible from either side around the 1-hour mark near the Ontario-Manitoba border). The landscape transitions gradually from forested Shield terrain to increasingly open prairie as you approach Manitoba. Around the midpoint (near the Ontario-Manitoba border around 47.5°N, 94°W), the forest canopy becomes noticeably sparser with larger clearings and more visible water bodies. The final 45 minutes show progressive transition to flat prairie with agricultural patchwork, fewer trees, and the characteristic grid-pattern farmland of the Canadian prairies. No major mountain ranges or dramatic terrain features are visible on this route—it is a landscape of subtle transitions from boreal forest to prairie.