Left side wins both the departure and arrival phases decisively. During the flight itself, the left side also faces west over the Atlantic, giving a better angle on the West African coastline as you cross near Dakar and the Cape Verde islands region, and later the Iberian Peninsula and Pyrenees on the horizon during the European leg.
Flown GIG to FRA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Rio De Janeiro to Frankfurt is 5,945 miles (9,567 km), a flight of about 11 hours 30 minutes.
The route crosses the South Atlantic, passing near the Cape Verde Islands and the coast of Senegal/Dakar. Over the Atlantic mid-crossing there is little to see beyond ocean. The flight then tracks over the Canary Islands region, up the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain visible below), crosses the Pyrenees, and descends over France and the Rhine-Main plain into Frankfurt.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from GIG
LEFTGIG's primary departure runway 10 heads east over Guanabara Bay, then aircraft turn northbound. Left side gives you the full sweep of Rio's iconic geography: Sugarloaf, the bay, and the city backed by the Serra dos Órgãos mountains. Right side faces open Atlantic with little of interest.
Landing at FRA
LEFTFrankfurt approaches from the southwest on runway 25L/25R, putting the left side toward the city center and the Rhine-Main region. You get a clear view of the Frankfurt skyline, the Main River bending through the city, and the Taunus hills to the north. Right side faces industrial areas and flat farmland.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) to Frankfurt Main (FRA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Rio De Janeiro to Frankfurt. Left side wins both the departure and arrival phases decisively. During the flight itself, the left side also faces west over the Atlantic, giving a better angle on the West African coastline as you cross near Dakar and the Cape Verde islands region, and later the Iberian Peninsula and Pyrenees on the horizon during the European leg.
What can I see during takeoff from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim in Rio De Janeiro?
During takeoff from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG), sit on the Left side for the best views. GIG's primary departure runway 10 heads east over Guanabara Bay, then aircraft turn northbound. Left side gives you the full sweep of Rio's iconic geography: Sugarloaf, the bay, and the city backed by the Serra dos Órgãos mountains. Right side faces open Atlantic with little of interest. Notable sights include: Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) at the bay entrance, Guanabara Bay with its islands, Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado ridge (look slightly inland), Niterói city across the bay.
What can I see when landing at Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
When landing at Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Frankfurt approaches from the southwest on runway 25L/25R, putting the left side toward the city center and the Rhine-Main region. You get a clear view of the Frankfurt skyline, the Main River bending through the city, and the Taunus hills to the north. Right side faces industrial areas and flat farmland. Notable sights include: Frankfurt city skyline (Bankenviertel skyscrapers), the Main River curving through the city, Taunus hills to the north, Sachsenhausen district south of the Main.
How long is the flight from Rio De Janeiro to Frankfurt?
The flight from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) to Frankfurt Main (FRA) takes about 11 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,945 miles (9,567 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Rio De Janeiro to Frankfurt flight path pass over?
The route crosses the South Atlantic, passing near the Cape Verde Islands and the coast of Senegal/Dakar. Over the Atlantic mid-crossing there is little to see beyond ocean. The flight then tracks over the Canary Islands region, up the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain visible below), crosses the Pyrenees, and descends over France and the Rhine-Main plain into Frankfurt.