Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Montreal to Washington. While takeoff favors the right, the landing view into DCA is significantly more rewarding—the Potomac River, Lincoln Memorial, and National Mall are iconic and unmissable from the left side. The takeoff view, though pleasant, is less distinctive than the approach.

During takeoff from Montreal International Dorval (YUL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the St. Lawrence River and the city of Montreal spreading eastward during the typical westbound climb-out. YUL primarily departs runways 06L/06R (heading east) or 24L/24R (heading west); westbound departures to DCA use 24s, giving right-side passengers a view of the river and urban sprawl as the aircraft banks south. Notable sights include: St. Lawrence River (flowing east-west through Montreal), Montreal city center and downtown towers, Île Sainte-Hélène in the river, Mount Royal (visible as a wooded rise inland).

When landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best approach view into DCA. The airport sits on a peninsula between the Potomac and Anacostia rivers; left-side passengers on final approach (typically runways 01/19 depending on wind) see the Potomac River, the Lincoln Memorial area, and central Washington landmarks. Runway 01 approaches from the north give left-seaters a direct view of the National Mall and downtown DC. Notable sights include: Potomac River (wide and prominent), Lincoln Memorial and National Mall area, downtown Washington DC skyline, Anacostia River (visible on approach).

The flight from Montreal International Dorval (YUL) to Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Appalachian foothills and ridges of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Blue Ridge Mountains form a low, linear ridge visible on the horizon during cruise (roughly 35,000 feet); they appear as a faint blue line running northeast-southwest. The Shenandoah Valley lies to the west of the Blue Ridge. Major rivers including the Susquehanna River (visible as a winding waterway in Pennsylvania) and the Potomac River (visible in its upper reaches before the final descent) mark the landscape. The Chesapeake Bay is visible to the east during descent, a large water body with a distinctive shape. Small cities and towns dot the landscape but are not individually prominent at cruise altitude.