Montreal to Atlanta is 994 miles (1,600 km), a flight of about 2 hours 25 minutes.
The left side wins overall because the Montreal departure offers a genuinely spectacular view of one of Canada's most photogenic cities and the St. Lawrence River. The Atlanta arrival on the right is good but the city views are more diffuse across a sprawling metro. For the cruise portion heading south-southwest, both sides see similar Appalachian terrain, but the left side tracks slightly closer to the Blue Ridge ridgelines over Virginia and the Carolinas.
Flight Path
The flight tracks south-southwest over Vermont and the Connecticut River valley, then crosses the Hudson Valley near Albany. Over Pennsylvania and Maryland you cross the Appalachian ridges including the Allegheny Front. Continuing south over Virginia the Blue Ridge Mountains are visible as parallel northeast-southwest ridgelines. Over the Carolinas the terrain flattens into the Piedmont before descending into Georgia.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from YUL
LEFTMontreal's dominant runway 24L/24R sends aircraft southwest over the island of Montreal itself. A left-side seat gives you a clear look back at the St. Lawrence River, the Old Port, and downtown Montreal's skyline as you climb out. The right side faces northwest toward suburban sprawl with less visual interest.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTAtlanta Hartsfield typically uses runways 08L/08R or 09L/09R for arrivals from the north, meaning aircraft approach from the northeast heading southwest. A right-side seat on final approach gives a view south over the Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain to the east is visible on the left, but the right side captures the downtown core and the sprawling Midtown district more directly on descent.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Montreal International Dorval (YUL) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Montreal to Atlanta. The left side wins overall because the Montreal departure offers a genuinely spectacular view of one of Canada's most photogenic cities and the St. Lawrence River. The Atlanta arrival on the right is good but the city views are more diffuse across a sprawling metro. For the cruise portion heading south-southwest, both sides see similar Appalachian terrain, but the left side tracks slightly closer to the Blue Ridge ridgelines over Virginia and the Carolinas.
What can I see during takeoff from Montreal International Dorval in Montreal?
During takeoff from Montreal International Dorval (YUL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Montreal's dominant runway 24L/24R sends aircraft southwest over the island of Montreal itself. A left-side seat gives you a clear look back at the St. Lawrence River, the Old Port, and downtown Montreal's skyline as you climb out. The right side faces northwest toward suburban sprawl with less visual interest. Notable sights include: St. Lawrence River broadening toward Lac Saint-Pierre, downtown Montreal skyline and Mount Royal, Île de la Paix and the river islands, the South Shore suburbs of Longueuil.
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. Atlanta Hartsfield typically uses runways 08L/08R or 09L/09R for arrivals from the north, meaning aircraft approach from the northeast heading southwest. A right-side seat on final approach gives a view south over the Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain to the east is visible on the left, but the right side captures the downtown core and the sprawling Midtown district more directly on descent. Notable sights include: Atlanta downtown skyline and Midtown towers, Chattahoochee River corridor northwest of the city, Lake Allatoona visible to the northwest on descent, I-285 perimeter highway loop visible as a broad ring around the metro.
How long is the flight from Montreal to Atlanta?
The flight from Montreal International Dorval (YUL) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes about 2 hours 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 994 miles (1,600 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Montreal to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight tracks south-southwest over Vermont and the Connecticut River valley, then crosses the Hudson Valley near Albany. Over Pennsylvania and Maryland you cross the Appalachian ridges including the Allegheny Front. Continuing south over Virginia the Blue Ridge Mountains are visible as parallel northeast-southwest ridgelines. Over the Carolinas the terrain flattens into the Piedmont before descending into Georgia.