The left side wins on both ends of the flight: São Paulo's dense skyline at departure and the dramatic, close-up Andes wall during the Santiago approach, which is one of South America's most scenic airport descents.
Flown GRU to SCL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Sao Paulo to Santiago is 1,625 miles (2,615 km), a flight of about 3 hours 50 minutes.
Argentine Pampas farmland, the Mendoza foothills, and the high Andes cordillera near the Chile-Argentina border
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from GRU
LEFTAs the aircraft climbs out of Guarulhos and banks onto its southwesterly track toward Argentina and Chile, the sprawling skyline of São Paulo and the forested ridges of the Serra da Cantareira unfold on the left side. The right side mostly shows the flatter outer suburbs and industrial zones northeast of the airport.
Landing at SCL
LEFTOn the descent into Santiago, arriving aircraft fly south down the central valley before turning onto final approach, putting the massive snow-capped wall of the Andes squarely on the left side. The right side faces the lower, less dramatic Coastal Range and the hazy Pacific lowlands.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Guarulhos (GRU) to Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sao Paulo to Santiago. The left side wins on both ends of the flight: São Paulo's dense skyline at departure and the dramatic, close-up Andes wall during the Santiago approach, which is one of South America's most scenic airport descents.
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. As the aircraft climbs out of Guarulhos and banks onto its southwesterly track toward Argentina and Chile, the sprawling skyline of São Paulo and the forested ridges of the Serra da Cantareira unfold on the left side. The right side mostly shows the flatter outer suburbs and industrial zones northeast of the airport. Notable sights include: São Paulo skyline, Tietê River, Serra da Cantareira hills, Guarapiranga Reservoir.
What can I see when landing at Arturo Merino Benitez International in Santiago?
When landing at Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the descent into Santiago, arriving aircraft fly south down the central valley before turning onto final approach, putting the massive snow-capped wall of the Andes squarely on the left side. The right side faces the lower, less dramatic Coastal Range and the hazy Pacific lowlands. Notable sights include: Andes Mountains, Aconcagua foothills, Maipo Valley vineyards, Santiago metropolitan skyline.
How long is the flight from Sao Paulo to Santiago?
The flight from Guarulhos (GRU) to Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) takes about 3 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,625 miles (2,615 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Sao Paulo to Santiago flight path pass over?
Argentine Pampas farmland, the Mendoza foothills, and the high Andes cordillera near the Chile-Argentina border