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The Most Scenic Routes - Airline pilots reveal their favorite views from the air
A number of regularly traveled commercial flight paths showcase some of the nation's most beautiful vistas, from the Grand Canyon to Alaskan glaciers to historic lighthouses en route to Portland, Maine. Pilots have their favorites views, and some tell stories of days before high fuel prices when they would seek permission from air-traffic controllers to pass close by prime sites or even double back to give passengers on both sides of a plane a great view. (online.wsj.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Before buying tickets, I check my flight's route on FlightAware to see which side of the plane will provide the best scenery. Flying home (PDX) from the east, I always get a window seat on the left - even at night, snow-covered Mt. Hood is spectacular.
I just flew from JFK to SEA, the view of Glacier National park, the Rockies,the Cascades, and then a perfect view of Mount Rainer (I was on the left side) was a site to behold. Also, the departure to the north out of Seattle right over the city and Elliot Bay/Puget Sound before turning back east was a good departure.
My favorite approach though is the Potomac approach into DCA, you can't beat that.
My favorite approach though is the Potomac approach into DCA, you can't beat that.
In the 70s a pilot of TWA took us over the Grand Canyon, dropped the port side and then dropped the starboard side so all could get a view...I have always wondered if this was "legal"...good view tho...beautiful
I had two great experiences with this sort of thing. Once flying out of Calgary to Vancouver on a gorgeous clear afternoon the pilot flew up the bow river valley all the way past Banff and Lake Louise. Spectacular seeing the tops of mountains going past only slight below the window. Another time on Air Canada flying from San Francisco to Vancouver I was in the cockpit (obviously pre-9/11 when this was not a big deal) flying over Mt. St. Helen. I had my camera with my and the pilot dipped the wings so I could get a better picture. He asked me to be quick before air traffic control noticed the dip. Great experiences that just added to my love of flying.
I always loved the approach into MIA...especially when landing to the west. The views of Miami Beach and those glorious high-rise hotels and condos were awesome!! Another favorite were the take-offs and landings at SFO. The bay area and that Golden Gate bridge never looked so good!!
I will always remember my flight in 1969, on my way home from a year in Vietnam. The pilot was nice enough to let everyone on board that the Grand Canyon was ahead and then gave us all a great view.