The left side wins overall. The Toronto departure view is exceptional — the CN Tower, full city skyline, and Lake Ontario together make for one of the best urban departure views in North America. The left side also tracks the western shore of Lake Erie during cruise, and the Atlanta arrival on the right is good but the scenery is relatively flat and suburban.
Flight Path
The flight path crosses Lake Erie (left side gets the best lake views over the northern shore), then tracks over Ohio and Kentucky. The Ohio River crossing near Cincinnati is visible as a wide meandering river. Over Kentucky and Tennessee the terrain becomes gently rolling with the Cumberland Plateau visible as a subtle ridge system. No major mountain ranges cross this route directly.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from YYZ
LEFTYYZ's most common departure is runway 23 (heading southwest), which puts the left side facing southeast toward downtown Toronto and Lake Ontario. You get a clear view of the CN Tower, the Toronto skyline, and the lake stretching east toward Hamilton Bay.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTATL's primary arrival from the north is typically runway 27L/27R (heading west) or 28, meaning the aircraft approaches from the northeast. The right side faces north and northwest, giving views of the Atlanta downtown skyline and Stone Mountain to the northeast as you descend.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Atlanta. The left side wins overall. The Toronto departure view is exceptional — the CN Tower, full city skyline, and Lake Ontario together make for one of the best urban departure views in North America. The left side also tracks the western shore of Lake Erie during cruise, and the Atlanta arrival on the right is good but the scenery is relatively flat and suburban.
What can I see during takeoff from Lester B Pearson International in Toronto?
During takeoff from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Left side for the best views. YYZ's most common departure is runway 23 (heading southwest), which puts the left side facing southeast toward downtown Toronto and Lake Ontario. You get a clear view of the CN Tower, the Toronto skyline, and the lake stretching east toward Hamilton Bay. Notable sights include: CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, Hamilton Harbour to the southwest, Toronto Islands.
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. ATL's primary arrival from the north is typically runway 27L/27R (heading west) or 28, meaning the aircraft approaches from the northeast. The right side faces north and northwest, giving views of the Atlanta downtown skyline and Stone Mountain to the northeast as you descend. Notable sights include: Atlanta downtown skyline, Stone Mountain (granite dome visible to the northeast), Chattahoochee River, Lake Allatoona to the northwest.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Atlanta?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Toronto to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses Lake Erie (left side gets the best lake views over the northern shore), then tracks over Ohio and Kentucky. The Ohio River crossing near Cincinnati is visible as a wide meandering river. Over Kentucky and Tennessee the terrain becomes gently rolling with the Cumberland Plateau visible as a subtle ridge system. No major mountain ranges cross this route directly.