ATL to LGA: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Atlanta (ATL) to New York (LGA) is a 1,225 km (761 mi), roughly 1h 56m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime ATL to LGA departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are pretty even on this route, so the left side is the better pick for shade.
This route is mostly a shade call, not a views call. The left side keeps you out of the sun, and it also gets the better mountain and capital-city moments.
Takeoff
After departure from Atlanta, depending on the runway in use, Atlanta sits off the left side and can pass almost under you as you climb.
En route
- 29m in← LeftBlue Ridge Mountains
About half an hour in, the Blue Ridge Mountains are off the left. You get a broad mountain line rather than a single peak.
- 29m in← LeftMount Mitchell
At the same time, Mount Mitchell is also on the left. It is the highest mountain in the Eastern United States, so it stands out among the ridges.
- 1h 05m in← LeftAppalachian Mountains
About an hour in, the Appalachian Mountains stay on the left. They read as a long, layered highland band from cruise altitude.
- 1h 09m inRight →East Coast of the United States
A little before that, the East Coast of the United States appears on the right. It is more of a coastline line than a single landmark from up here.
- 1h 24m in← LeftWashington, D.C. · passes underneath
Around an hour and a half in, Washington, D.C. comes very close on the left. It passes almost beneath you, so the view is brief but direct.
Landing
On descent into LaGuardia, depending on the runway in use, Long Island comes up on the right. Near touchdown, the right side also catches the Brooklyn Bridge as it comes nearly under you, while New York City and the East River sit to the left.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from ATL to LGA?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on ATL to LGA flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from ATL to LGA?
The great-circle distance is 1,225 km (761 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 56m in the air on this eastbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from Atlanta to LaGuardia?
Sit on the left for shade. The views are fairly balanced, so shade decides this one.
Will I see Washington, D.C. on this flight?
Yes. It comes up about an hour and twenty minutes in on the left, and it passes almost under the plane.