The left side wins because it captures the Andes both during the long southbound cruise along the west coast of South America and dramatically during the Santiago approach, while the right side mostly faces open Pacific Ocean or the less distinctive interior lowlands.
Flown DFW to SCL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Dallas-Fort Worth to Santiago is 4,888 miles (7,866 km), a flight of about 9 hours 45 minutes.
Gulf of Mexico, Central American isthmus, the Andes Cordillera running along coastal Ecuador, Peru, and northern Chile, and the arid Atacama Desert corridor
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from DFW
LEFTBoth sides show the flat North Texas prairie during initial climb out of DFW, but the southbound departure puts a faint view of the Trinity River bottomlands and Dallas's southern suburbs on the left, giving it a slight edge over the featureless right-side view.
Landing at SCL
LEFTArrivals into Santiago descend from the north on runways 17L/17R, and the towering, snow-capped Andes sit immediately east of the city, filling the left-side windows as the aircraft banks toward final approach. The right side only shows the flatter Central Valley and Pacific-facing coastal range, which is far less dramatic.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Santiago. The left side wins because it captures the Andes both during the long southbound cruise along the west coast of South America and dramatically during the Santiago approach, while the right side mostly faces open Pacific Ocean or the less distinctive interior lowlands.
What can I see during takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International in Dallas-Fort Worth?
During takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Both sides show the flat North Texas prairie during initial climb out of DFW, but the southbound departure puts a faint view of the Trinity River bottomlands and Dallas's southern suburbs on the left, giving it a slight edge over the featureless right-side view. Notable sights include: Trinity River, Dallas southern suburbs, flat Blackland Prairie farmland.
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. Arrivals into Santiago descend from the north on runways 17L/17R, and the towering, snow-capped Andes sit immediately east of the city, filling the left-side windows as the aircraft banks toward final approach. The right side only shows the flatter Central Valley and Pacific-facing coastal range, which is far less dramatic. Notable sights include: Andes Cordillera high peaks, Aconcagua region foothills, Santiago's Maipo Valley, Mapocho River basin.
How long is the flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Santiago?
The flight from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) takes about 9 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,888 miles (7,866 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Dallas-Fort Worth to Santiago flight path pass over?
Gulf of Mexico, Central American isthmus, the Andes Cordillera running along coastal Ecuador, Peru, and northern Chile, and the arid Atacama Desert corridor