The right side wins because the departure view — Lago Argentino's glacial-blue water framed by the Andes — is the most visually striking moment of the entire flight, and it edges out the Buenos Aires skyline approach, which is excellent but briefer and lower-contrast by comparison. Both sides share the same long, flat cruise over Patagonian steppe and pampas, so the difference comes down to these two bookend views.
Flown FTE to AEP? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
El Calafate to Buenos Aires is 1,285 miles (2,068 km), a flight of about 3 hours 5 minutes.
The route crosses the arid Patagonian steppe, passes near the Río Chubut and Río Negro valleys, and transitions into the flat farmland of the pampas as it approaches the Río de la Plata coastline near Buenos Aires.
Great circle distance and headings ›
_(cropped).jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from FTE
RIGHTTaking off on runway 25, the aircraft must turn right through north to head toward Buenos Aires, and that climbing turn sweeps the right side past Lago Argentino's turquoise waters with the Andes foothills rising beyond. It's a brief but genuinely dramatic Patagonian panorama before the plane rolls out and levels off.
Landing at AEP
LEFTArrivals into Aeroparque use runway 31, approaching from over the Río de la Plata on a northwest heading, which puts downtown Buenos Aires off the left side of the aircraft. Passengers get a low-altitude look at the Puerto Madero towers and Palermo's green parks right before touchdown.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport (FTE) to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from El Calafate to Buenos Aires. The right side wins because the departure view — Lago Argentino's glacial-blue water framed by the Andes — is the most visually striking moment of the entire flight, and it edges out the Buenos Aires skyline approach, which is excellent but briefer and lower-contrast by comparison. Both sides share the same long, flat cruise over Patagonian steppe and pampas, so the difference comes down to these two bookend views.
What can I see during takeoff from El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport in El Calafate?
During takeoff from El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport (FTE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Taking off on runway 25, the aircraft must turn right through north to head toward Buenos Aires, and that climbing turn sweeps the right side past Lago Argentino's turquoise waters with the Andes foothills rising beyond. It's a brief but genuinely dramatic Patagonian panorama before the plane rolls out and levels off. Notable sights include: Lago Argentino, El Calafate town on the lakeshore, Andes foothills to the west, Patagonian steppe.
What can I see when landing at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires?
When landing at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into Aeroparque use runway 31, approaching from over the Río de la Plata on a northwest heading, which puts downtown Buenos Aires off the left side of the aircraft. Passengers get a low-altitude look at the Puerto Madero towers and Palermo's green parks right before touchdown. Notable sights include: Río de la Plata, Puerto Madero skyline, Palermo parkland, Aeroparque's riverside runway.
How long is the flight from El Calafate to Buenos Aires?
The flight from El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport (FTE) to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) takes about 3 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,285 miles (2,068 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the El Calafate to Buenos Aires flight path pass over?
The route crosses the arid Patagonian steppe, passes near the Río Chubut and Río Negro valleys, and transitions into the flat farmland of the pampas as it approaches the Río de la Plata coastline near Buenos Aires.