The I've Seen it From the Air thread
#46
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAExP(3MM), HHDiamond, Priority Club Plat, Hyatt Plat, United Mileage Plus
Posts: 117
Try this app to help locate your position
There is a pretty good app called window seat that can help you track your flight in almost real time. You set it right before take off and it uses the flight plan on file to help you identify your position in flight without a gps. It is pretty good and accurate if you start it at the right time and the captain doesn't stray off flight plan too much. It's also fun because it is basically like a flight map similar to the ones on international flights.
It could definitely help you narrow down your location when you see things of interest.
I have it for iPhone and iPad, not sure what other PDAs support it.
It could definitely help you narrow down your location when you see things of interest.
I have it for iPhone and iPad, not sure what other PDAs support it.
#47
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northeast US
Posts: 207
There is a pretty good app called window seat that can help you track your flight in almost real time. You set it right before take off and it uses the flight plan on file to help you identify your position in flight without a gps. It is pretty good and accurate if you start it at the right time and the captain doesn't stray off flight plan too much. It's also fun because it is basically like a flight map similar to the ones on international flights.
It could definitely help you narrow down your location when you see things of interest.
I have it for iPhone and iPad, not sure what other PDAs support it.
It could definitely help you narrow down your location when you see things of interest.
I have it for iPhone and iPad, not sure what other PDAs support it.
#48
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
I was treated to seeing the Aurora Borealis on a PHX-ATL flight back in October (on my birthday no less!). The Captain came on the P/A to inform us in his entire career he'd never seen it so far south.
#49
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 53,012
I've flown out of SEA probably 50 times. Once, on a UA 777 a few years back, we flew so close to the summit of Mt. Rainier that it almost felt like you could reach out and touch it. The pilot announced it in advance and I happened to have the perfect window seat for it that day. If there had been climbers on the summit, I imagine they would have been freaked out by our presence.
I've flown that direction on takeoff quite a few other times and always look - in fact, after that I always made sure I had an "A" seat out of Seattle. But we never got that close again... Seeing Rainier from a distance on either approach or departure isn't that odd: it was just that one flight that one day that was unusual.
Others:
- Grand Canyon a bunch of times
- Giza pyramids
- Lots of other airplanes in holding patterns seemingly right on top of us - common at LHR
- A few times, a plane cruising the opposite direction as us - always fun to see
- Hurricane Dennis from a few years back...we were flying in perfectly clear weather but you could see the storm in the distance, perhaps 40 or 50 miles away
- Lots of big thunderstorms in the summer in the Midwest. Always fun to see, as long as there's a way to get around them.
- Vegas at night. Can't miss it...
- A few nighttime baseball/football games. Obviously this isn't too rare out of LGA, but I've also seen a night game at Wrigley from the air before.
I've flown that direction on takeoff quite a few other times and always look - in fact, after that I always made sure I had an "A" seat out of Seattle. But we never got that close again... Seeing Rainier from a distance on either approach or departure isn't that odd: it was just that one flight that one day that was unusual.
Others:
- Grand Canyon a bunch of times
- Giza pyramids
- Lots of other airplanes in holding patterns seemingly right on top of us - common at LHR
- A few times, a plane cruising the opposite direction as us - always fun to see
- Hurricane Dennis from a few years back...we were flying in perfectly clear weather but you could see the storm in the distance, perhaps 40 or 50 miles away
- Lots of big thunderstorms in the summer in the Midwest. Always fun to see, as long as there's a way to get around them.
- Vegas at night. Can't miss it...
- A few nighttime baseball/football games. Obviously this isn't too rare out of LGA, but I've also seen a night game at Wrigley from the air before.
#51




Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: JFK/EWR/LGA
Programs: AA, AGR, Choice Gold, CitiPrestige, TYP
Posts: 134
Grand Canyon
Greenland
Wind farm in the waters off Britain
I think the prettiest flight was SOF-LHR. We flew over mountain ranges in the Balkans, then got a clear view of Venice, and then flew over the alps. It was one of those flights where looking out the window was interesting the entire flight.
I have a question. Flying MAD-JFK a few times, I've always noticed, shortly after leaving Madrid, that we fly over an area with a huge crucifix below. Does anyone know what that might be?
Greenland
Wind farm in the waters off Britain
I think the prettiest flight was SOF-LHR. We flew over mountain ranges in the Balkans, then got a clear view of Venice, and then flew over the alps. It was one of those flights where looking out the window was interesting the entire flight.
I have a question. Flying MAD-JFK a few times, I've always noticed, shortly after leaving Madrid, that we fly over an area with a huge crucifix below. Does anyone know what that might be?
#53
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Um lugar muito bonito
Programs: UA GS, UA 2-Million Miler, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, HHonours Diamond, Marriott Plat, EVA Gold
Posts: 162
My two biggest airborne out-the-window memories: The Aurora Borealis during a particularly active period on a flight between ANC-SEA, coming in over the Great Wall of China on daytime approach to Beijing (most of my previous arrivals there had been in the dark). Totally awesome experiences.
#54

Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 3,933
An eerie and impressive memorial built by Franco.
#55




Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: JFK/EWR/LGA
Programs: AA, AGR, Choice Gold, CitiPrestige, TYP
Posts: 134
#56

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SJO
Programs: CO Gold
Posts: 1,230
I've been to both, as a visitor to the US the most interesting places to visit (outside of big cities of course) are the Great Plains
#57
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: US
Programs: AA, DL, LH
Posts: 54
A lot of people have seen it, but I love flying over Europe, seeing the patachwork of farms and small, but clearly defined, villages, connected by fragile-looking roads. And the deep green of the forests....
Also, the Himalayas, as of yesterday

Also, the Himalayas, as of yesterday
#59
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Gold, SPG Plat, Avis PP
Posts: 165
I saw the fireworks this time on July 4 - all over the US , flying from DEN to ATL - they look amazing from the top - it is the perspective we usually never get ,unless you are in the air.
#60
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Gold, SPG Plat, Avis PP
Posts: 165
Flew over the amazing city of Paris on the flight CDG - BKK - was incredible to check out the layout of the city - and identify the major streets and monuments - it just might be one of the most beautiful cities to look at, from the air.


