Left side wins both the departure over São Paulo's urban and natural geography and the arrival over Dubai Creek and the Gulf coastline. During the long overwater and desert transit, neither side offers dramatically more, but the left side bookends the journey with the two most visually interesting moments.
Flight Path
The route crosses the South Atlantic Ocean, passing near the West African coast around Cameroon and Nigeria, then over the Congo Basin rainforest — one of the largest continuous forest canopies on Earth. The flight then crosses Central Africa, the Sahel transition zone, and the Sahara Desert with its vast sand seas and rocky hamadas visible in daylight. The route clips the Horn of Africa region before crossing the Arabian Peninsula and descending into Dubai.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from GRU
LEFTGRU typically departs northeast on runway 09R/10R heading, then turns north. The left side captures the Serra da Cantareira mountain range and the sprawling São Paulo metropolitan grid spreading south and west. The Tietê River valley is also visible cutting through the urban fabric below.
Landing at DXB
LEFTDubai International primarily uses runways 12L/12R for arrivals from the west, approaching from the southwest over the Gulf. The left side on approach gives a clear view of Dubai Creek, Deira's dense urban grid, and the older port districts. The right side faces inland desert.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Guarulhos (GRU) to Dubai International (DXB)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sao Paulo to Dubai. Left side wins both the departure over São Paulo's urban and natural geography and the arrival over Dubai Creek and the Gulf coastline. During the long overwater and desert transit, neither side offers dramatically more, but the left side bookends the journey with the two most visually interesting moments.
What can I see during takeoff from Guarulhos in Sao Paulo?
During takeoff from Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Left side for the best views. GRU typically departs northeast on runway 09R/10R heading, then turns north. The left side captures the Serra da Cantareira mountain range and the sprawling São Paulo metropolitan grid spreading south and west. The Tietê River valley is also visible cutting through the urban fabric below. Notable sights include: Serra da Cantareira (forested ridge north of the city), Tietê River valley, São Paulo city center skyline to the southwest, Guarulhos urban sprawl.
What can I see when landing at Dubai International in Dubai?
When landing at Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dubai International primarily uses runways 12L/12R for arrivals from the west, approaching from the southwest over the Gulf. The left side on approach gives a clear view of Dubai Creek, Deira's dense urban grid, and the older port districts. The right side faces inland desert. Notable sights include: Dubai Creek and Deira district, Dubai International Airport parallel runways, Port Rashid area, the Gulf coastline stretching toward Sharjah.
How long is the flight from Sao Paulo to Dubai?
The flight from Guarulhos (GRU) to Dubai International (DXB) takes Approximately 16 to 17 hours.
What does the Sao Paulo to Dubai flight path pass over?
The route crosses the South Atlantic Ocean, passing near the West African coast around Cameroon and Nigeria, then over the Congo Basin rainforest — one of the largest continuous forest canopies on Earth. The flight then crosses Central Africa, the Sahel transition zone, and the Sahara Desert with its vast sand seas and rocky hamadas visible in daylight. The route clips the Horn of Africa region before crossing the Arabian Peninsula and descending into Dubai.