Which side of the plane has the better view? By the numbers
We scored 2,762 US nonstop routes from the real paths their flights flew, 6,526 rated landmarks, the sun and glare.
51%
of US routes have the better view on the left (51% left, 40% right, 8% a tie).
36%
of routes switch sides with the time of day: the sun and glare move, the best side moves with them.
61%
of routes have a time of day when one side spends half the flight or more in sun glare.
By time of day
| Departing | Left wins | Right wins |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 53% | 47% |
| Afternoon | 54% | 46% |
| Evening | 56% | 44% |
The sights you pass most
- Dallason 303 routes
- National Mallon 292 routes
- NYCon 282 routes
- Chicagoon 273 routes
- Philadelphiaon 223 routes
- Newarkon 183 routes
- Ft. Worthon 179 routes
- San Gorgonio Mountainon 172 routes
- Hoover Damon 168 routes
- Detroiton 168 routes
Method: each route's answer comes from recent real flight paths at morning, afternoon and evening departures, with no clouds. A side "wins" a route when it wins most of the day's flights. Updated 2026-10-24.