The left side wins on the strength of the Lago Argentino and Andean foothill views right at departure, a genuinely scenic moment that the right side's flat Patagonian steppe can't match; the long Pampas cruise is scenically neutral for both sides, and while the right side redeems itself with the Buenos Aires arrival, it isn't quite enough to overtake the mountain-and-lake takeoff.
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Flight Path
El Calafate to Buenos Aires is 1,266 miles (2,038 km), a flight of about 3 hours 5 minutes.
Flat Patagonian steppe transitioning into the drier Rio Negro valley and then the pampas grasslands of central Argentina, with the Rio Colorado and Rio Negro visible as winding green-fringed ribbons cutting through otherwise featureless plains.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from FTE
LEFTDeparting on runway 25 into the prevailing westerlies, the aircraft lifts off right beside Lago Argentino's turquoise waters with the Andean foothills and distant glacial peaks visible to the left as the plane banks north-northeast onto its Buenos Aires course. This is a fleeting but genuinely dramatic window into Patagonia's glacier country before the terrain flattens out.
Landing at EZE
RIGHTArriving from the south and lining up for runway 35, the aircraft's final approach tracks north with Buenos Aires' skyline and the wide brown Rio de la Plata estuary opening up to the right side. It's a solid urban-and-water finale after two hours over flat plains.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport (FTE) to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from El Calafate to Buenos Aires. The left side wins on the strength of the Lago Argentino and Andean foothill views right at departure, a genuinely scenic moment that the right side's flat Patagonian steppe can't match; the long Pampas cruise is scenically neutral for both sides, and while the right side redeems itself with the Buenos Aires arrival, it isn't quite enough to overtake the mountain-and-lake takeoff.
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 Left side for the best views. Departing on runway 25 into the prevailing westerlies, the aircraft lifts off right beside Lago Argentino's turquoise waters with the Andean foothills and distant glacial peaks visible to the left as the plane banks north-northeast onto its Buenos Aires course. This is a fleeting but genuinely dramatic window into Patagonia's glacier country before the terrain flattens out. Notable sights include: Lago Argentino, Andean foothills, Perito Moreno Glacier region (distant), Patagonian steppe transition.
What can I see when landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini in Buenos Aires?
When landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arriving from the south and lining up for runway 35, the aircraft's final approach tracks north with Buenos Aires' skyline and the wide brown Rio de la Plata estuary opening up to the right side. It's a solid urban-and-water finale after two hours over flat plains. Notable sights include: Buenos Aires skyline, Rio de la Plata estuary, southern Buenos Aires suburbs, Ezeiza greenbelt.
How long is the flight from El Calafate to Buenos Aires?
The flight from El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport (FTE) to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE) takes about 3 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,266 miles (2,038 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the El Calafate to Buenos Aires flight path pass over?
Flat Patagonian steppe transitioning into the drier Rio Negro valley and then the pampas grasslands of central Argentina, with the Rio Colorado and Rio Negro visible as winding green-fringed ribbons cutting through otherwise featureless plains.