About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) to Mariscal Sucre International (UIO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Rio De Janeiro to Quito. While left seats offer better Rio departure views, right seats provide superior approach scenery into Quito with direct views of Pichincha and the Andean basin. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.
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 typically departs from runway 10L/28R or 10R/28L. Northbound departures (runway 10) climb over Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic, but leftward banking reveals the Serra da Carioca and the western suburbs of Rio. Right seats face the open ocean with minimal geography. Notable sights include: Guanabara Bay (immediate offshore), Serra da Carioca mountain range (west), Niterói across the bay (northeast), Atlantic coastline curving north.
What can I see when landing at Mariscal Sucre International in Quito?
When landing at Mariscal Sucre International (UIO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Approach to UIO typically uses runway 04L/22R or 04R/22L. Southbound approaches (runway 22) descend from the north over the Andean foothills and the Quito basin. Right-side seats capture the dramatic approach to the high-altitude valley, with the Pichincha volcanic complex and surrounding peaks framing the descent. Notable sights include: Pichincha volcano (west of runway), Quito basin and city sprawl (center), Andean ridge system (east and south), high-altitude grasslands and agricultural plots (foreground during final approach).
How long is the flight from Rio De Janeiro to Quito?
The flight from Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) to Mariscal Sucre International (UIO) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Rio De Janeiro to Quito flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses northwest over the Colombian Pacific coast and then inland toward the Ecuadorian highlands. Notable features include the Cauca River valley (visible around 2 hours into flight), the western cordillera of the Colombian Andes with peaks reaching 12,000+ feet, and the transition from tropical lowlands to high-altitude páramo grasslands as the aircraft approaches Ecuador. The descent into Quito crosses the inter-Andean valley, a high plateau at roughly 9,000 feet elevation with volcanic peaks punctuating the landscape.