Right side wins overall. The Amsterdam departure view over the canal ring and polder landscape is genuinely distinctive and hard to match. Over the Atlantic the difference is negligible, but on the southbound routing over West Africa and the Atlantic, right side occasionally catches the Canary Islands and the West African coastline earlier. The São Paulo arrival on left is strong but shorter in duration than the departure spectacle.
Flown AMS to GRU? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Amsterdam to Sao Paulo is 6,074 miles (9,774 km), a flight of about 11 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks southwest over France and the Iberian Peninsula, crossing the Portuguese coast near Lisbon, then out over the Atlantic. It passes within range of the Canary Islands on the right side. The crossing continues over the equatorial Atlantic with no land visible for roughly 5 to 6 hours. The Brazilian coast is crossed near Recife or Natal in the northeast, then the route tracks inland southwest over the cerrado plateau of central Brazil before descending into the São Paulo basin through the Serra da Mantiqueira foothills.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
RIGHTSchiphol typically departs southwestward on runway 18R/24 or northward on 36C/36R. For southbound departures toward GRU, the aircraft turns south and right-side passengers get views over Amsterdam city center, the IJ river, and the distinctive polder landscape of the Randstad. Left side faces open North Sea polders with less visual interest.
Landing at GRU
LEFTGRU approaches from the east or northeast, typically landing on runway 09R/27L or 09L/27R. On the common easterly approach, left-side passengers look south toward the Serra da Cantareira and the dense urban sprawl of greater São Paulo spreading into the valley. Right side faces north over less populated terrain toward Minas Gerais.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Guarulhos (GRU)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Sao Paulo. Right side wins overall. The Amsterdam departure view over the canal ring and polder landscape is genuinely distinctive and hard to match. Over the Atlantic the difference is negligible, but on the southbound routing over West Africa and the Atlantic, right side occasionally catches the Canary Islands and the West African coastline earlier. The São Paulo arrival on left is strong but shorter in duration than the departure spectacle.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Schiphol typically departs southwestward on runway 18R/24 or northward on 36C/36R. For southbound departures toward GRU, the aircraft turns south and right-side passengers get views over Amsterdam city center, the IJ river, and the distinctive polder landscape of the Randstad. Left side faces open North Sea polders with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Amsterdam city center canal ring, IJ river and harbor, Randstad polder grid, Westpoort industrial port.
What can I see when landing at Guarulhos in Sao Paulo?
When landing at Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Left side for the best views. GRU approaches from the east or northeast, typically landing on runway 09R/27L or 09L/27R. On the common easterly approach, left-side passengers look south toward the Serra da Cantareira and the dense urban sprawl of greater São Paulo spreading into the valley. Right side faces north over less populated terrain toward Minas Gerais. Notable sights include: Serra da Cantareira ridge, São Paulo metropolitan sprawl, Tietê River valley, Guarulhos urban area.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Sao Paulo?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Guarulhos (GRU) takes about 11 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,074 miles (9,774 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Amsterdam to Sao Paulo flight path pass over?
The route tracks southwest over France and the Iberian Peninsula, crossing the Portuguese coast near Lisbon, then out over the Atlantic. It passes within range of the Canary Islands on the right side. The crossing continues over the equatorial Atlantic with no land visible for roughly 5 to 6 hours. The Brazilian coast is crossed near Recife or Natal in the northeast, then the route tracks inland southwest over the cerrado plateau of central Brazil before descending into the São Paulo basin through the Serra da Mantiqueira foothills.