The Andes arrival on the left side at Santiago is one of the most spectacular approaches in commercial aviation — a continuous wall of high Andean peaks as you descend. The right side at takeoff from AMS is good but the left side Andes view at landing tips the balance decisively.
Flown AMS to SCL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Amsterdam to Santiago is 7,458 miles (12,003 km), a flight of about 14 hours 30 minutes.
The route typically tracks southwest over the UK and Bay of Biscay, then over the Atlantic Ocean for the majority of the flight. It crosses the equator over the central Atlantic, passes over northeastern Brazil near Recife or Natal, then tracks southwest over the Brazilian interior and the vast Amazon basin before crossing into Argentina and approaching the Andes from the east. The Atacama Desert and Chilean coastal range are visible in the final descent.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
RIGHTSchiphol's most common departure runway is 36C/36L heading north, which puts Amsterdam city center and the IJ waterway on your right (east) side. You get a clear view over the historic canal ring and the port of Amsterdam as you climb out northward.
Landing at SCL
LEFTSCL typically uses runway 17 for arrivals from the north, meaning aircraft approach from the north heading south. The left (east) side faces the Andes directly — you get a dramatic wall of snow-capped peaks including Aconcagua and the main Andean cordillera running the full length of the window as you descend into Santiago.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Santiago. The Andes arrival on the left side at Santiago is one of the most spectacular approaches in commercial aviation — a continuous wall of high Andean peaks as you descend. The right side at takeoff from AMS is good but the left side Andes view at landing tips the balance decisively.
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's most common departure runway is 36C/36L heading north, which puts Amsterdam city center and the IJ waterway on your right (east) side. You get a clear view over the historic canal ring and the port of Amsterdam as you climb out northward. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring from above, IJ waterway and Amsterdam Noord, Almere and IJmeer lake to the east, Haarlem and the North Sea coast to the west (left side).
What can I see when landing at Arturo Merino Benitez International in Santiago?
When landing at Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL), sit on the Left side for the best views. SCL typically uses runway 17 for arrivals from the north, meaning aircraft approach from the north heading south. The left (east) side faces the Andes directly — you get a dramatic wall of snow-capped peaks including Aconcagua and the main Andean cordillera running the full length of the window as you descend into Santiago. Notable sights include: Aconcagua (6,961m) visible to the north-northeast, main Andean cordillera wall to the east, Santiago urban basin spread across the valley floor, Maipo River valley to the south.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Santiago?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) takes about 14 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 7,458 miles (12,003 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Amsterdam to Santiago flight path pass over?
The route typically tracks southwest over the UK and Bay of Biscay, then over the Atlantic Ocean for the majority of the flight. It crosses the equator over the central Atlantic, passes over northeastern Brazil near Recife or Natal, then tracks southwest over the Brazilian interior and the vast Amazon basin before crossing into Argentina and approaching the Andes from the east. The Atacama Desert and Chilean coastal range are visible in the final descent.