While takeoff favors left seats for the Río de la Plata, the landing approach into GRU provides superior views for right-seat passengers: the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains, the Tietê River's dramatic curves through São Paulo, and the sprawling metropolitan landscape are all better positioned on the right side during the standard eastbound approach.
Flown EZE to GRU? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo is 1,070 miles (1,723 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
The flight crosses the flat pampas of Buenos Aires Province and southern Brazil, then enters the Brazilian plateau (Planalto Paulista) around the state border. The Paraná River valley lies to the west (left) of the typical flight path but remains below cruise altitude visibility. The landscape transitions from grassland to mixed agriculture and forest as the aircraft approaches São Paulo's interior plateau. No major mountain ranges cross the direct flight path, though the Serra da Mantiqueira becomes visible on the right (northeast) during descent into GRU.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from EZE
LEFTEZE typically departs runway 09 (westbound) or 27 (eastbound). Left seats on a westbound departure offer views of the Río de la Plata's western reaches and the flat pampas extending inland. Eastbound departures from runway 27 favor right seats, but westbound is more common for northbound traffic to São Paulo.
Landing at GRU
RIGHTGRU uses runways 09L/09R (eastbound) or 27L/27R (westbound). Northbound arrivals typically use runway 09 (landing eastbound). Right-seat passengers on approach see the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains rising to the northeast and the urban sprawl of greater São Paulo spreading across the plateau. Left seats miss these features during the standard approach corridor.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE) to Guarulhos (GRU)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo. While takeoff favors left seats for the Río de la Plata, the landing approach into GRU provides superior views for right-seat passengers: the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains, the Tietê River's dramatic curves through São Paulo, and the sprawling metropolitan landscape are all better positioned on the right side during the standard eastbound approach.
What can I see during takeoff from Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini in Buenos Aires?
During takeoff from Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE), sit on the Left side for the best views. EZE typically departs runway 09 (westbound) or 27 (eastbound). Left seats on a westbound departure offer views of the Río de la Plata's western reaches and the flat pampas extending inland. Eastbound departures from runway 27 favor right seats, but westbound is more common for northbound traffic to São Paulo. Notable sights include: Río de la Plata (broad estuary immediately west/south of airport), Buenos Aires urban sprawl (southern districts visible as grid pattern), flat pampas grasslands extending to the horizon, occasional lagoons in the delta region.
What can I see when landing at Guarulhos in Sao Paulo?
When landing at Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Right side for the best views. GRU uses runways 09L/09R (eastbound) or 27L/27R (westbound). Northbound arrivals typically use runway 09 (landing eastbound). Right-seat passengers on approach see the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains rising to the northeast and the urban sprawl of greater São Paulo spreading across the plateau. Left seats miss these features during the standard approach corridor. Notable sights include: Serra da Mantiqueira (mountain range visible as a distant ridge on the horizon to the northeast), Tietê River (meandering through São Paulo's urban landscape), greater São Paulo metropolitan area (dense urban grid covering the plateau), Cantareira Mountains (lower range to the north, appearing as a darker ridge).
How long is the flight from Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo?
The flight from Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE) to Guarulhos (GRU) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,070 miles (1,723 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the flat pampas of Buenos Aires Province and southern Brazil, then enters the Brazilian plateau (Planalto Paulista) around the state border. The Paraná River valley lies to the west (left) of the typical flight path but remains below cruise altitude visibility. The landscape transitions from grassland to mixed agriculture and forest as the aircraft approaches São Paulo's interior plateau. No major mountain ranges cross the direct flight path, though the Serra da Mantiqueira becomes visible on the right (northeast) during descent into GRU.