While left seats dominate the departure, right seats provide the more dramatic and geographically significant views during descent into Quito. The Andes and Pichincha volcano are the flight's visual centerpiece, and right-side seating captures these features during the most visually rewarding phase of the journey.
Flown GRU to UIO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Sao Paulo to Quito is 2,677 miles (4,308 km), a flight of about 4 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses from the Brazilian Shield plateau (elevation ~2,000 feet) northwestward over the Amazon basin and into the Andes. Notable features include: the Putumayo River valley (forming the Colombia-Ecuador border), the transition from lowland rainforest to montane forest, and the dramatic rise of the Western Cordillera of the Andes as you approach Ecuador. At cruise altitude (typically 35,000 feet), you'll see the Amazon basin as an unbroken green expanse with river systems visible as dark linear features. The Andes appear as a north-south trending mountain chain with multiple peaks visible, particularly Cotopaxi and Chimborazo to the south of your track. Cloud cover over the Amazon is frequent, but breaks often reveal the river network. The approach to Quito involves descending through the inter-Andean valley with increasingly dramatic terrain.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from GRU
LEFTGRU typically departs runway 09L/27R or 09R/27L depending on wind. Northbound departures (which this route requires) use runway 09L or 09R, heading northwest. Left seats capture the Serra da Cantareira mountain range and the sprawling São Paulo metropolitan area as you climb out over the northern suburbs.
Landing at UIO
RIGHTApproach to UIO typically uses runway 04L/22R. Southbound arrivals descend on a southeastern heading. Right seats offer views of the Andes cordillera as you descend into the Quito basin, with Pichincha volcano and the surrounding high-altitude terrain becoming increasingly prominent.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Guarulhos (GRU) to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sao Paulo to Quito. While left seats dominate the departure, right seats provide the more dramatic and geographically significant views during descent into Quito. The Andes and Pichincha volcano are the flight's visual centerpiece, and right-side seating captures these features during the most visually rewarding phase of the journey.
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 runway 09L/27R or 09R/27L depending on wind. Northbound departures (which this route requires) use runway 09L or 09R, heading northwest. Left seats capture the Serra da Cantareira mountain range and the sprawling São Paulo metropolitan area as you climb out over the northern suburbs. Notable sights include: Serra da Cantareira (northern mountain range), Tietê River valley, São Paulo urban sprawl extending to the horizon, Guarulhos industrial zone directly below.
What can I see when landing at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito?
When landing at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Approach to UIO typically uses runway 04L/22R. Southbound arrivals descend on a southeastern heading. Right seats offer views of the Andes cordillera as you descend into the Quito basin, with Pichincha volcano and the surrounding high-altitude terrain becoming increasingly prominent. Notable sights include: Pichincha volcano (dominant peak near Quito), Andes mountain chain, Quito's high-altitude basin at 9,350 feet elevation, Mariscal Sucre airport nestled in the valley.
How long is the flight from Sao Paulo to Quito?
The flight from Guarulhos (GRU) to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) takes about 4 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,677 miles (4,308 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Sao Paulo to Quito flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses from the Brazilian Shield plateau (elevation ~2,000 feet) northwestward over the Amazon basin and into the Andes. Notable features include: the Putumayo River valley (forming the Colombia-Ecuador border), the transition from lowland rainforest to montane forest, and the dramatic rise of the Western Cordillera of the Andes as you approach Ecuador. At cruise altitude (typically 35,000 feet), you'll see the Amazon basin as an unbroken green expanse with river systems visible as dark linear features. The Andes appear as a north-south trending mountain chain with multiple peaks visible, particularly Cotopaxi and Chimborazo to the south of your track. Cloud cover over the Amazon is frequent, but breaks often reveal the river network. The approach to Quito involves descending through the inter-Andean valley with increasingly dramatic terrain.