I like to try to orient myself while flying by trying to find landmarks and following the probable route of the plane. Obviously most maps (including pilot's maps) are too big and cumbersome to be used while sitting in coach (or even business class) without driving everyone around you nuts.

But I saw a man and his son with a laminated plastic folding map of the Eastern US that was big enough to show some major landmarks (lakes, cities, etc.)-- just perfect for following along with the plane's progress. I wasn't in a position to ask him where he got it, but does anyone know where to find such maps?

Try http://mapping.usgs.gov/ for topographical maps or http://www.aworldofmaps.com/ for every map imaginable!

Go to www.terraserver.com and you can download for free

Thanks for responses so far, but Bill, terraserver lacks labels or other identifiers and actually tend to be so "close" (considering they're from a satellite) that you'd need a bunch of them (taped together?) to cover a plane flight's itinerary. BTW, MapQuest now provides the same satellite's-eye-view of addresses, which is a really cool thing! Find your own house and see just how detailed the satellite photography is!

"www.aworldofmaps.com" does seem to have a lot of stuff, but I'm going to have to call or write to find out what form and what dimensions the maps come in.

Any other suggestions?

I saw a news story in the last 6 months or so about someone who has created maps of various plane routes for passengers to keep track of where they are using landmarks. I just did an internet search and couldn't find anything about it. I recall that the map-creator was going to market the maps in airport book/news shops in selected areas. At time of the story, he had developed several maps. I'm thinking maybe they were of routes out of Denver, but I really can't remember much of the story. I'd keep looking if I were you, because the maps ARE out there somewhere. An AAA regional map (e.g. Eastern USA) might be a start while you're looking for the others.

Rand McNally has something that might do the trick. You have to drill down a bit in their web site, so I'm attaching the URL: http://www.randmcnally.com/rmc/store/strProductDetail.jsp?OID=15866&POID=-8905&BV_SessionID=@@@@0414487724.1021582533@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceadcfehjdedicgencfhjdfiidfjm.0

Wouldn't mind having one myself next time I go transcontinental. It's a vast and awesome country, and I'd like to know whether I'm flying over Salt Lake City or Denver....

try maps.com.