Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sao Paulo to Amsterdam. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Atlantic the views are largely featureless ocean regardless of side, but the left seat captures São Paulo's urban drama on departure and Amsterdam's historic city and waterways on arrival, making it the clear overall choice.

During takeoff from Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Left side for the best views. GRU typically departs on runway 09R/27L or 10/28. Northbound departures toward Europe often involve a left turn heading north, putting the Serra da Cantareira and the sprawling São Paulo metropolitan grid on the left side. The Tietê River valley and the dense urban fabric of greater São Paulo are clearly visible on the left during climb-out. Notable sights include: Serra da Cantareira hills to the north, Tietê River snaking through the urban grid, São Paulo city center skyline to the southwest, Guarulhos industrial zones and reservoir system.

When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol typically lands on runways oriented roughly northeast-southwest (e.g., 18R/36L, 06/24). Approaches from the south over the Netherlands put the left side facing east toward Amsterdam city center, the IJ waterway, and the distinctive polder landscape. The left seat gets the city and the harbor; the right faces open North Sea polders. Notable sights include: Amsterdam city center and canal ring, IJ waterway and Amsterdam harbor, Markermeer lake to the east, flat green polder fields of North Holland.

The flight from Guarulhos (GRU) to Schiphol (AMS) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The route crosses the Amazon basin in northern Brazil, where the Amazon River and its tributaries are visible as vast dark brown waterways through green forest canopy during daylight. The flight then crosses the Atlantic Ocean, passing near the equator over open water with no land features. Approaching Europe, the West African coast near Senegal or Mauritania may be visible depending on exact routing. The Canary Islands occasionally appear to the east. Final approach crosses the Iberian Peninsula or Bay of Biscay before reaching France and the English Channel, where the French coastline and occasionally the white cliffs near Calais are visible before descending into the Netherlands.