Which side of the plane for the best view?
 

(Hope I'm not duplicating an earlier thread.)

Are there landing approaches to an airport where you know there's a good chance one side will be more scenic than the other -- e.g., which side of the plane on the most common approach to ORD will give you the best view of the Chicago skyline?

I know that approach patterns vary with wind, route from your point of origina and, sometimes, time of day. But some patterns are less variable than others, and I know, for example, that you are most likely to get a good view of Mt. Rainier coming into SeaTac from anywhere east if you're on the left side.

Anyone have similar recommendations for NYC (LGA and JFK) Boston, NYC, Miami, Caribbean islands, Hawaii, London, etc. etc.?

Right hand side for landing in Kai Tak in Hong Kong. [Oops... That information is 9 years too late to be useful.]

No real way to predict for O'Hare. There are major approach patterns from the west, east, south and northwest.

Looking back on all the times I've flown into ORD, I'd have to say the <i>inside</i>. ;-)

Landing at Kai Tak in Hong Kong was the most exciting landing I think I ever have had. Flying in a 747 by apartment buildings so close that you could see the TV programs on inside the apartments, so close that you could wave at tenants hanging their clothes to dry on a line on the 15th floor -- it was just wildly exciting.

For an approach to Washington National (DCA) from the north, following the Potomac River, you want a left window for an awe inspiring view of the National Cathedral, Georgetown spires, KenCen, White House, Washington Monument, pretty much all of the recognizable DC landmarks. It is great day or night, but especially around 9:20pm on July 4. (From the right side you get Rosslyn office towers and the Pentagon).

The aproach from the south is pretty dull, and there's no way to predict when you book your ticket which way the winds will be blowing on the day you fly. Request an A seat an hope for the best.

Sit on the left side when departing LAX at night for points east (and some north, like LAS). After take off over the ocean the plane makes a big left (south) turn and then turns east just south of the Palos Verdes peninsula. As you fly east, just south of San Pedro Bay, you can see just about all of Los Angeles county, Long Beach, and Orange County.

Sit on the left when landing at Las Vegas for a great view of the city.

I agree the inside

Left side when landing at BOS. You'll get a terrific view of downtown about 30-45 seconds before you touch down when Rwy 4 (L or R) is used for landing. If one of the other rwys is in use, then you won't get an especially good view of the city from either side.

Either side landing at SAN.
M

Left side when landing at KRK.

The last few times I've landed at ORD the best views of the loop were from the left side, but it is indeed variable.

JFK almost always approaches from the water side, so left again, but it's quite some distance. Flew into EWR last week and Manhattan was off to the left. Can't recall LGA.

HNL is 50-50; right side has given more views of Diamond Head than left in my experience, but no idea if that's unusual. Totally dependent on winds.

I'd say 75% of my landings at LHR were from the east, with marvelous views of central London from the right side. (Un)fortunately, traffic at LHR is so miserable that you can easily get trapped in the LHR &quot;stack&quot; for a long spell, which means you'll get a fine aerial tour of the SE of England no matter which side. LGW is a crapshoot.

ANC, right side for the best chance of overflying the best bits of the Chugach range.

SAN is best in a middle seat with your eyes closed.

left side for Kona--if flying during the daylight you can see the Big Island's Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea when you are about a half hour out.

left side for HNL

unless the winds are Kona but left side 88% of the time......hands down

any side when landing in NRT

right side in ITO

left side in LIH

Either side in SFO

either side in MIA

Left side for Mt Fuji view if flying to NRT from Asian cities.

LGA - if landing in the afternoon and evening, sit on the right. Planes on downwind approach, usually fly north up the Hudson, so you have a great view of all of Manhattan on the right (to the east). Earlier in the day, planes may fly final approach over Queens. In that case, the better view is on the left (to the west). As you can see, there is a high degree of chance here, depending on winds and air traffic control.