XWA

Best window seat landing at Williston Basin International Airport

Which side of the plane?

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

LandingRIGHT

Missouri River, Lake Sakakawea, Williston city grid

🛬 Landing at Williston (XWA)

Best sideRight
WhyRunway 32 approaches from the southeast, meaning you'll be descending toward the northwest. The right side offers views of the Missouri River valley and the terrain features north and west of the airport, which are more visually interesting than the relatively flat agricultural plains to the south and east.
Look forMissouri River (visible as a meandering watercourse in the middle distance), Lake Sakakawea (large reservoir visible on the horizon to the northwest), Williston city grid (small urban area below during final approach), badlands terrain (subtle elevation changes visible across the landscape)

XWA is a modern replacement airport that opened in 2019, built specifically to handle the surge in air traffic from the Bakken oil boom. It has a single runway and a compact terminal designed for regional jet service rather than high passenger volumes.

⛰️ Elevation2,343 ft
🛫 Runways1 (14/32)
📍 NearbySDY 43 miOLF 85 miGDV 92 mi

Connecting at XWA?

Find out if your layover is long enough at Williston Basin International Airport.

Check layover times →

About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views landing at Williston Basin International Airport (XWA)?

When landing at Williston Basin International Airport (XWA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Runway 32 approaches from the southeast, meaning you'll be descending toward the northwest. The right side offers views of the Missouri River valley and the terrain features north and west of the airport, which are more visually interesting than the relatively flat agricultural plains to the south and east. Notable sights include: Missouri River (visible as a meandering watercourse in the middle distance), Lake Sakakawea (large reservoir visible on the horizon to the northwest), Williston city grid (small urban area below during final approach), badlands terrain (subtle elevation changes visible across the landscape).

What can I see when arriving at Williston?

Arriving at Williston Basin International Airport in Williston, passengers on the Right side enjoy views of Missouri River (visible as a meandering watercourse in the middle distance), Lake Sakakawea (large reservoir visible on the horizon to the northwest), Williston city grid (small urban area below during final approach), badlands terrain (subtle elevation changes visible across the landscape). Runway 32 approaches from the southeast, meaning you'll be descending toward the northwest. The right side offers views of the Missouri River valley and the terrain features north and west of the airport, which are more visually interesting than the relatively flat agricultural plains to the south and east.

What factors affect the best window seat landing at Williston Basin International Airport?

The best window seat landing at Williston Basin International Airport (XWA) depends on several factors: the approach path and runway in use, geographic features around Williston (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening arrivals often offer the best lighting.