YXY

Best window seat at Whitehorse International

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Taking offLEFT

Yukon River, Alaska Highway, Whitehorse city grid

LandingLEFT

Yukon River, Whitehorse city grid and buildings, boreal forest canopy

🛫 Taking Off from Whitehorse (YXY)

Best sideLeft
WhyTakeoffs from runway 32L head northwest, placing the left side toward the Yukon River valley and the Alaska Highway corridor—the most visually interesting terrain during initial climb. The right side faces relatively featureless boreal forest and tundra with minimal geographic variation.
Look forYukon River (visible as a braided watercourse below), Alaska Highway (thin linear feature threading through forest), Whitehorse city grid (receding behind), distant Coastal Mountains on the horizon to the northwest

🛬 Landing at Whitehorse (YXY)

Best sideLeft
WhyLanding on runway 32L with a northwest heading puts the left side facing southwest toward the Yukon River valley and the city of Whitehorse itself. You'll see the river's distinctive meanders and the urban sprawl as you descend, plus the forested terrain that defines this region.
Look forYukon River (multiple bends visible), Whitehorse city grid and buildings, boreal forest canopy, distant ridgelines to the southwest

Whitehorse International is a modest single-terminal airport perched on a bluff overlooking the city, serving as the primary air gateway to the Yukon. It has two parallel asphalt runways, with the longer one capable of handling larger jet aircraft for connections to southern Canada.

⛰️ Elevation2,320 ft
🛫 Runways2 (14R/32L, 14L/32R)
✈️ HubAir North
📍 NearbySGY 86 mi

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Whitehorse International (YXY)?

At Whitehorse International in Whitehorse: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Yukon River (visible as a braided watercourse below), Alaska Highway (thin linear feature threading through forest), Whitehorse city grid (receding behind), distant Coastal Mountains on the horizon to the northwest.

What can I see during takeoff from Whitehorse International in Whitehorse?

When taking off from Whitehorse International (YXY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Takeoffs from runway 32L head northwest, placing the left side toward the Yukon River valley and the Alaska Highway corridor—the most visually interesting terrain during initial climb. The right side faces relatively featureless boreal forest and tundra with minimal geographic variation. Notable sights include: Yukon River (visible as a braided watercourse below), Alaska Highway (thin linear feature threading through forest), Whitehorse city grid (receding behind), distant Coastal Mountains on the horizon to the northwest.

What can I see when landing at Whitehorse International in Whitehorse?

When landing at Whitehorse International (YXY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Landing on runway 32L with a northwest heading puts the left side facing southwest toward the Yukon River valley and the city of Whitehorse itself. You'll see the river's distinctive meanders and the urban sprawl as you descend, plus the forested terrain that defines this region. Notable sights include: Yukon River (multiple bends visible), Whitehorse city grid and buildings, boreal forest canopy, distant ridgelines to the southwest.

What factors affect the best window seat at Whitehorse International?

The best window seat at Whitehorse International (YXY) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Whitehorse (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.