Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Frankfurt city and the Taunus hills; at landing you get Guanabara Bay, the Niteroi bridge, and Sugarloaf. Over the Atlantic mid-flight both sides are essentially identical ocean, so the endpoint views are the deciding factor.
Flight Path
The route tracks southwest over France and the Iberian Peninsula, crosses the Canary Islands area off the West African coast, then crosses the Atlantic roughly parallel to the equator. Mid-Atlantic has no land features. The Brazilian coast is crossed near Recife or Natal in the northeast before tracking south to Rio. The Sahara and West African coastline may be briefly visible early in the flight on the left side.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from FRA
LEFTFrankfurt departures on runway 25L/25C head westward, and the left side gives you a clear view back over Frankfurt city center, the Main River bends, and the Taunus hills to the north. The right side faces south toward flat Rhine-Main plain with little of interest.
Landing at GIG
LEFTGIG's primary arrival runway 10 brings aircraft in from the west over Guanabara Bay, and the left side faces north toward the bay, Niteroi bridge, and the iconic hills including Pao de Acucar. The right side looks south toward less distinctive suburban sprawl.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Frankfurt Main (FRA) to Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Frankfurt to Rio De Janeiro. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Frankfurt city and the Taunus hills; at landing you get Guanabara Bay, the Niteroi bridge, and Sugarloaf. Over the Atlantic mid-flight both sides are essentially identical ocean, so the endpoint views are the deciding factor.
What can I see during takeoff from Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
During takeoff from Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Frankfurt departures on runway 25L/25C head westward, and the left side gives you a clear view back over Frankfurt city center, the Main River bends, and the Taunus hills to the north. The right side faces south toward flat Rhine-Main plain with little of interest. Notable sights include: Frankfurt skyline and Main River bend, Taunus hills ridge, Rhine River confluence near Mainz, Wiesbaden sprawl.
What can I see when landing at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim in Rio De Janeiro?
When landing at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG), sit on the Left side for the best views. GIG's primary arrival runway 10 brings aircraft in from the west over Guanabara Bay, and the left side faces north toward the bay, Niteroi bridge, and the iconic hills including Pao de Acucar. The right side looks south toward less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Guanabara Bay, Ponte Rio-Niteroi bridge, Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf Mountain), Niteroi city across the bay.
How long is the flight from Frankfurt to Rio De Janeiro?
The flight from Frankfurt Main (FRA) to Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Frankfurt to Rio De Janeiro flight path pass over?
The route tracks southwest over France and the Iberian Peninsula, crosses the Canary Islands area off the West African coast, then crosses the Atlantic roughly parallel to the equator. Mid-Atlantic has no land features. The Brazilian coast is crossed near Recife or Natal in the northeast before tracking south to Rio. The Sahara and West African coastline may be briefly visible early in the flight on the left side.