About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Minneapolis. The left side wins overall. The Toronto departure view with the CN Tower, Lake Ontario, and the city waterfront is one of the more dramatic urban departures in Canada. En route, the left side also tracks closer to Lake Erie's northern shore briefly before the terrain flattens into Indiana and Illinois farmland. The MSP arrival on the right is good but the Toronto departure is the highlight of this flight.
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 departures heading west on runway 23 or southwest on runway 24L/24R give the left side a clear view over downtown Toronto and Lake Ontario. You'll see the CN Tower, the Toronto waterfront, and the lake stretching to the south and east as the aircraft banks westward. Notable sights include: CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto Islands, Mississauga suburban grid.
What can I see when landing at Minneapolis St Paul International in Minneapolis?
When landing at Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP), sit on the Right side for the best views. MSP typically uses runways 12L/12R or 17 for arrivals from the east, meaning the aircraft approaches from the northeast. The right side picks up the Mississippi River as it curves through the Twin Cities, plus the downtown Minneapolis skyline before touchdown. Notable sights include: Mississippi River corridor, downtown Minneapolis skyline, Lake Minnetonka to the west, Fort Snelling at the river confluence.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Minneapolis?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Toronto to Minneapolis flight path pass over?
After leaving Toronto, the route crosses southern Ontario farmland, then Lake Erie briefly near the Ontario-Michigan border region. Over Michigan and Indiana the terrain is flat agricultural land with few dramatic features. The route passes north of Chicago's metro area, visible as a faint urban haze and grid on clear days to the south. Western Wisconsin and Minnesota bring the first hints of the glacially-carved lake-dotted landscape before descending into the Twin Cities.