Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sao Paulo to Addis Ababa. While takeoff favors the right, the landing view from the left is more dramatic and geographically distinctive. The approach to ADD over the Ethiopian highlands and rift valley escarpment is more visually rewarding than the São Paulo departure, which is primarily urban sprawl.

During takeoff from Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Right side for the best views. GRU typically departs eastbound (runways 09L/09R). Right-side seats face north across the São Paulo metropolitan area and toward the Atlantic coastal plain. You'll see the urban sprawl transition to agricultural zones and the distant Serra da Mantiqueira escarpment. Notable sights include: São Paulo city grid and favelas (foreground), Cantareira Mountains to the north, Serra da Mantiqueira ridge (distant eastern horizon), Atlantic coastal lowlands.

When landing at Bole International (ADD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ADD typically lands on runway 25 (westbound approach). Left-side seats face south and southwest during descent, offering views of the Ethiopian highlands and the approach path over the Addis Ababa plateau. You'll see the city's elevated terrain and the surrounding escarpments that define the geography. Notable sights include: Addis Ababa city sprawl on the plateau, Mount Entoto to the north (left), the Great Rift Valley escarpment (distant south), Awash River valley (southeast).

The flight from Guarulhos (GRU) to Bole International (ADD) takes Approximately 11-12 hours.

This route crosses the Atlantic Ocean (no landmarks visible for roughly 6 hours), then makes landfall over West Africa. The flight path passes over or near the Sahel region and central Africa—the Congo Basin and its vast forest canopy are visible during the latter half of the flight. The Cameroon Highlands and the Chad Basin may be visible depending on exact routing. The final approach into Ethiopia crosses the Red Sea coast and the Ethiopian highlands' western escarpment before reaching the Addis Ababa plateau.