The SDU landing on the right side delivers one of the most dramatic airport approaches in the world — Sugarloaf, Guanabara Bay, and the Rio skyline simultaneously. The EWR takeoff on the left is excellent but the Rio arrival edges it out for sheer visual impact.
Flown EWR to SDU? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Newark to Rio De Janeiro is 4,825 miles (7,765 km), a flight of about 9 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks southeast over the Atlantic Ocean, passing east of the Caribbean island chain. Around the midpoint the aircraft is over open South Atlantic with no land visible. As it approaches Brazil it crosses the northeastern Brazilian coastline near Recife or Natal, where the coastline and the mouth of major rivers like the São Francisco may be faintly visible. The final descent crosses the Serra do Mar coastal mountain range before dropping into Guanabara Bay.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from EWR
LEFTEWR departures heading south on runway 22L/22R put Manhattan and the Hudson River on the left side. You get a clear view of the NYC skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Upper New York Bay before the aircraft turns southeast over the Atlantic.
Landing at SDU
RIGHTSDU sits on Guanabara Bay, and aircraft typically approach from the northeast over the bay on runway 02R/20L. A right-side seat gives you Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), the bay itself, and the Niterói bridge on final approach. The left side faces inland toward hills.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Santos Dumont (SDU)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Newark to Rio De Janeiro. The SDU landing on the right side delivers one of the most dramatic airport approaches in the world — Sugarloaf, Guanabara Bay, and the Rio skyline simultaneously. The EWR takeoff on the left is excellent but the Rio arrival edges it out for sheer visual impact.
What can I see during takeoff from Newark Liberty International in Newark?
During takeoff from Newark Liberty International (EWR), sit on the Left side for the best views. EWR departures heading south on runway 22L/22R put Manhattan and the Hudson River on the left side. You get a clear view of the NYC skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Upper New York Bay before the aircraft turns southeast over the Atlantic. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty in Upper New York Bay, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New Jersey Turnpike corridor.
What can I see when landing at Santos Dumont in Rio De Janeiro?
When landing at Santos Dumont (SDU), sit on the Right side for the best views. SDU sits on Guanabara Bay, and aircraft typically approach from the northeast over the bay on runway 02R/20L. A right-side seat gives you Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), the bay itself, and the Niterói bridge on final approach. The left side faces inland toward hills. Notable sights include: Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), Guanabara Bay, Rio-Niterói Bridge, Corcovado ridge with Christ the Redeemer statue.
How long is the flight from Newark to Rio De Janeiro?
The flight from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Santos Dumont (SDU) takes about 9 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,825 miles (7,765 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Newark to Rio De Janeiro flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast over the Atlantic Ocean, passing east of the Caribbean island chain. Around the midpoint the aircraft is over open South Atlantic with no land visible. As it approaches Brazil it crosses the northeastern Brazilian coastline near Recife or Natal, where the coastline and the mouth of major rivers like the São Francisco may be faintly visible. The final descent crosses the Serra do Mar coastal mountain range before dropping into Guanabara Bay.