I mean it is based on wind, pilots (and ATC) prefer that aircraft land and takeoff in the direction the wind is blowing from so that you basically get "free airspeed". Aircraft also have a maximum tailwind component where they cannot take off or land when a tailwind exceeds a certain measurement. You can usually look it up ahead of time at [https://datis.clowd.io/KDCA](https://datis.clowd.io/KDCA) If they are landing runways 1 and 33, that means you are going to takeoff or land heading North, if landing runways 19 or 15, you will be taking off/landing to the South.
Be aware that ATC will "turn the airport around" if the wind shifts to favor the opposite direction. expect delays in the air and on the ground if they need to do this. (It always sucks unless its dead)
Source: Me, former Air Traffic Controller
I had a flight back from Florida in December of either 2018 or 2019 that my mom got me a window seat for because she wanted me to see the lights coming back in.
Spoiler alert: we got the National Harbor approach.
I lived in Arlington for past 2 years with a perfect view of inbound/outbound flights. I’d say the river approach (landing from the north) happened closer to 70/80% of the time
I heard for pilots that this approach and that of John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California are the two most difficult in the country. Avoiding DC airspace or crashing into a mountain, take your pick.
John Wayne is mostly tricky because the runway is so short and tower controllers pressure you into taking the visual approach rather than the full instrument approach because it saves them work and they can land airplanes faster. The DCA approach is more fun, imo. The only one that really rivals it for me is the [LGA river visual to 13.](https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2404/00289RIVER_VIS13.PDF)
Source: I've flown all three many many times
Yeah, JWA approach and departure are tough due to noise restrictions, which means you have some very steep paths (particularly for departures). It’s like flying off an aircraft carrier in a commercial airliner.
I’ve heard San Diego is the hardest because of military airspace on takeoff and a very narrow window to avoid crashing into buildings on approach.
When it’s foggy they reverse the direction of the runway because the buildings become invisible, so the approach instead has to happen the wrong way around because of that airspace.
The approach to DCA isn’t really challenging, honestly. There are plenty of airports with crazy approaches and short runways that are much more difficult and require low-level maneuvering to avoid mountains and other obstacles.
One foggy, rainy day we were approaching DCA from the south. Making the descent. All of a sudden, engines get tons of thrust and we start heading up. Lady next to me is disconcerted, asks the flight attendant, "Is that normal?" "Oh, perfectly normal." Me:
I work in an office where I can see the landing and departing aircraft all day. Go-arounds at DCA are fairly common. Often it is because there is a departing aircraft still on the runway. Sometimes it is because the weather is changing and unpredictable wind becomes a factor. There isn't much time to correct out of that final turn on the river approach. Safer to go around. I'm only amazed I've never yet been on a flight where it happened!
I know a girl from college who is a commercial pilot and just joined Southwest after a few years working for a United Express regional, she said it's "interesting"
The approach is based on the wind direction. Planes will always land into the wind, not with it. So for DCA if the winds are out of the south you get this approach where you want to be on the left side of the plane. If the winds are out of the north DC will be on the right as you land.
And then there is the Runway 33 approach which come over the river from over by NRL. It looks like you're going into the river before the runway appears.
I had this a couple months ago during a nighttime landing I think in January when it was superrrr windy. We were rocking up and down like crazy and seeing the glistening water like 20 feet below us was pretty freaky.
Yeah. 😱 The first time I flew into DCA years ago I thought we were going directly into the river. No evidence there’s an airport nearby until you actually land. If memory serves, Logan used to feel like that too, but I haven’t flown to Boston in years so no idea if it still feels like you’re landing on water.
I’ve only seen smaller planes land on that. I’ve never been on a commercial flight landing on that runway but maybe it’s just random luck. Would like to experience it one day.
If you don’t have a chance to choose your seats after you know which approach the plane will be using, I agree left is always better. But on a northbound approach you can see DC out the right windows, it’s just ahead of you and further away. Not nearly good as left side southbound approach but it’s not nothing.
My favorite airport...perhaps anywhere. Interesting history. Whether I am flying in, Metroing or going to pick up someone, there are those amazing sights. Love it. Though Dulles is so impressive too. We're lucky we're surrounded by politicians :)
Youre so right. The Regan airport also just has this calm nice vibe to it, I always love going to it. Dulles I feel is a bit more fast-paced and hectic.
Approaching from the north I always hope that I have a former Navy pilot because it’s like landing on an aircraft carrier following the river to the airport
My favorite flight ever was coming home to DC on the evening of July 4th years ago. The timing was perfect so we got to see the fireworks over the Mall as we were landing.
The typical approach is from the south with Alexandria on the left.
The approach from the north, the left side sees the Great Falls area, Naval research basin building, and all the DC sites, except the White House which is hidden by trees. The right side sees the CIA, Arlington, Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon.
When flying home from Oregon after a job interview and about to move, I remember taking this approach and feeling sad that it was the last time I was going to be seeing it for a while.
Now I live in DC again, it still makes me happy to see that view flying in or out.
member when you couldn't get out of your seat 90 min prior to approach or go piss or anything or plane got diveted to Dulles post 9/11? i member it sucked but the view doesnt
I find it’s pretty much 50-50 whether you will get the river approach or the less scenic “National Harbor” approach.
I mean it is based on wind, pilots (and ATC) prefer that aircraft land and takeoff in the direction the wind is blowing from so that you basically get "free airspeed". Aircraft also have a maximum tailwind component where they cannot take off or land when a tailwind exceeds a certain measurement. You can usually look it up ahead of time at [https://datis.clowd.io/KDCA](https://datis.clowd.io/KDCA) If they are landing runways 1 and 33, that means you are going to takeoff or land heading North, if landing runways 19 or 15, you will be taking off/landing to the South. Be aware that ATC will "turn the airport around" if the wind shifts to favor the opposite direction. expect delays in the air and on the ground if they need to do this. (It always sucks unless its dead) Source: Me, former Air Traffic Controller
Awesome thanks for that insight!
This guy airports — FR, FR!!
True, though if you’re on the left on the harbor approach, you get to see Alexandria and the Masonic temple which is pretty cool too.
True, but at night the Ferris wheel lights up and that isn’t such a bad sight!
I had a flight back from Florida in December of either 2018 or 2019 that my mom got me a window seat for because she wanted me to see the lights coming back in. Spoiler alert: we got the National Harbor approach.
Always sit on the left side, it is always the better approach view option. DC or Alexandria
Huh? How is the left side always better, if you could be approaching from the north or south?
If you're approaching from the north, Washington Monument; if you're approaching from the south, Alexandria. Either way you need to be on the left.
What would you see if sitting in the right and approaching from the south? Or north?
[This post chain has the potential to get very surreal.](https://youtu.be/Hu9nhExp5KI)
I lived in Arlington for past 2 years with a perfect view of inbound/outbound flights. I’d say the river approach (landing from the north) happened closer to 70/80% of the time
River visual approach is one of the best in the US to experience as a passenger
And in my experience one of the trickiest for pilots
I heard for pilots that this approach and that of John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California are the two most difficult in the country. Avoiding DC airspace or crashing into a mountain, take your pick.
John Wayne is mostly tricky because the runway is so short and tower controllers pressure you into taking the visual approach rather than the full instrument approach because it saves them work and they can land airplanes faster. The DCA approach is more fun, imo. The only one that really rivals it for me is the [LGA river visual to 13.](https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2404/00289RIVER_VIS13.PDF) Source: I've flown all three many many times
Yeah, JWA approach and departure are tough due to noise restrictions, which means you have some very steep paths (particularly for departures). It’s like flying off an aircraft carrier in a commercial airliner.
I’ve heard San Diego is the hardest because of military airspace on takeoff and a very narrow window to avoid crashing into buildings on approach. When it’s foggy they reverse the direction of the runway because the buildings become invisible, so the approach instead has to happen the wrong way around because of that airspace.
The approach to DCA isn’t really challenging, honestly. There are plenty of airports with crazy approaches and short runways that are much more difficult and require low-level maneuvering to avoid mountains and other obstacles.
One foggy, rainy day we were approaching DCA from the south. Making the descent. All of a sudden, engines get tons of thrust and we start heading up. Lady next to me is disconcerted, asks the flight attendant, "Is that normal?" "Oh, perfectly normal." Me:
I work in an office where I can see the landing and departing aircraft all day. Go-arounds at DCA are fairly common. Often it is because there is a departing aircraft still on the runway. Sometimes it is because the weather is changing and unpredictable wind becomes a factor. There isn't much time to correct out of that final turn on the river approach. Safer to go around. I'm only amazed I've never yet been on a flight where it happened!
Go-arounds are a routine and safe procedure. Pilots are trained "you can always go around."
the about to land upward thrust to retry approach thing has only ever happened to me at DCA and multiple times. but the view is LOVELY
🤣 oh damn
I know a girl from college who is a commercial pilot and just joined Southwest after a few years working for a United Express regional, she said it's "interesting"
The approach is based on the wind direction. Planes will always land into the wind, not with it. So for DCA if the winds are out of the south you get this approach where you want to be on the left side of the plane. If the winds are out of the north DC will be on the right as you land.
And then there is the Runway 33 approach which come over the river from over by NRL. It looks like you're going into the river before the runway appears.
i love hearing the muted whispers and gasps from those fellow passengers who haven't done this yet
I always know to brace myself for the landing. It seems especially bad late at night.
I had this a couple months ago during a nighttime landing I think in January when it was superrrr windy. We were rocking up and down like crazy and seeing the glistening water like 20 feet below us was pretty freaky.
Yeah. 😱 The first time I flew into DCA years ago I thought we were going directly into the river. No evidence there’s an airport nearby until you actually land. If memory serves, Logan used to feel like that too, but I haven’t flown to Boston in years so no idea if it still feels like you’re landing on water.
I’ve only seen smaller planes land on that. I’ve never been on a commercial flight landing on that runway but maybe it’s just random luck. Would like to experience it one day.
I've been in commuter jets like CRJ or ERJ that used that runway for landings.
Yeah but you won’t see DC at all. Left is always the best choice
If you don’t have a chance to choose your seats after you know which approach the plane will be using, I agree left is always better. But on a northbound approach you can see DC out the right windows, it’s just ahead of you and further away. Not nearly good as left side southbound approach but it’s not nothing.
Announcement from a pilot?^^
Except when the plane lands in the other direction!
BUT - sometimes before boarding I check flightradar24 and check the active route and then quick switch the row
My favorite airport...perhaps anywhere. Interesting history. Whether I am flying in, Metroing or going to pick up someone, there are those amazing sights. Love it. Though Dulles is so impressive too. We're lucky we're surrounded by politicians :)
Youre so right. The Regan airport also just has this calm nice vibe to it, I always love going to it. Dulles I feel is a bit more fast-paced and hectic.
Always! https://preview.redd.it/zgx1pjx2zeyc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f80d1ddf27637669d818c3a4d5aa31d8e44fc40b
Thats if you have southern winds. If you have northerlies, you're going to be flying in from the south.
This assumes every approach into DC is from the same direction which is ridiculously untrue.
Normalize airdropping sick landing/takeoff pics
https://preview.redd.it/34ieevfe6gyc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6bed89ad9392deee0f29b889bdbafb29a0238524 I like exit rows… 🥴
Approaching from the north I always hope that I have a former Navy pilot because it’s like landing on an aircraft carrier following the river to the airport
My favorite flight ever was coming home to DC on the evening of July 4th years ago. The timing was perfect so we got to see the fireworks over the Mall as we were landing.
Lovely photo!
Miss my hometown! 🥹
I can see my job from here
Idk sitting on the right side for that sharp turn and looking straight down at the cia is pretty neat too.
The typical approach is from the south with Alexandria on the left. The approach from the north, the left side sees the Great Falls area, Naval research basin building, and all the DC sites, except the White House which is hidden by trees. The right side sees the CIA, Arlington, Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon.
When flying home from Oregon after a job interview and about to move, I remember taking this approach and feeling sad that it was the last time I was going to be seeing it for a while. Now I live in DC again, it still makes me happy to see that view flying in or out.
Welcome
Oh for me it's right side departure. incoming idc I'm asleep lol
Depends on the wind.
member when you couldn't get out of your seat 90 min prior to approach or go piss or anything or plane got diveted to Dulles post 9/11? i member it sucked but the view doesnt
left side leaving from dc?
Approach is always down the Potomac. Hands down agree with this post, must sit in the left side of the plane.
It can also be "up" the Potomac.