About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Licenciado Benito Juarez International (MEX)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Mexico City. The left side wins overall because the volcanic Sierra Nevada on approach to Mexico City — with Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl clearly visible — is one of the most dramatic arrival views in commercial aviation. The takeoff from Schiphol is interesting on the right, but the left side also captures the Atlantic crossing and the approach over the Mexican highlands, making it the stronger seat for the full journey.
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 westward on runway 18R/36L or 06/24, and climbing out to the west or northwest puts Amsterdam city center, the IJ river, and the canal ring on the right side. You also get a clear view of the polder landscape and the North Sea coast as the aircraft turns southwest. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring and city center, IJ river and Amsterdam harbor, North Sea coastline and beach barrier, Dutch polder farmland grid.
What can I see when landing at Licenciado Benito Juarez International in Mexico City?
When landing at Licenciado Benito Juarez International (MEX), sit on the Left side for the best views. Mexico City's Benito Juarez airport sits in the eastern part of the Valley of Mexico basin. Arrivals typically come from the north or east on runway 05L/23R or similar headings, and the left side gives you the best view of the Sierra Nevada volcanic chain including Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl to the southeast, plus the sprawling city grid filling the basin. Notable sights include: Popocatépetl volcano (5,426m), Iztaccíhuatl volcano (5,230m), Valley of Mexico urban sprawl, Texcoco dry lakebed to the east.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Mexico City?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Licenciado Benito Juarez International (MEX) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Amsterdam to Mexico City flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southwest from the Netherlands across southern England or the Bay of Biscay, then out over the North Atlantic. The mid-Atlantic has no land features. The route crosses the Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico depending on routing, with possible views of Cuba or the Yucatan Peninsula. On approach to Mexico, the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt become visible as the aircraft descends into the Valley of Mexico.