Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Guayaquil to Panama City. The right side captures more dramatic geography throughout the flight: the Guayas estuary and Andes foothills on departure, and the approach to the canal system and Gatun Lake on arrival. While the left side has the canal advantage, the right side's consistent access to major terrain features makes it the stronger choice overall.

During takeoff from Simon Bolivar International (GYE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Andes foothills and the Guayas River estuary as you climb out westbound. GYE typically departs runway 09 (westbound), so the right side faces north toward the coastal plain and river system that defines Guayaquil's geography. Notable sights include: Guayas River estuary (wide, meandering waterway directly below during initial climb), Andes foothills to the east (receding as you climb), Pacific coastal lowlands stretching north, mangrove wetlands bordering the river.

When landing at Tocumen International (PTY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best view of the Panama Canal approach and the Gatun Lake system as you descend into PTY. Panama City's approach typically uses runway 03 (northbound), so the left side faces west toward the canal and the distinctive lake geography that dominates central Panama. Notable sights include: Gatun Lake (large, irregular freshwater lake with visible islands and peninsulas), Panama Canal locks and cut (narrow waterway visible as a linear feature), Soberanía National Forest (dense green vegetation on the western shore), Panama City skyline (visible on the Caribbean coast as you descend further).

The flight from Simon Bolivar International (GYE) to Tocumen International (PTY) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Pacific coastal lowlands of western Colombia and Panama, passing over the Darién region's tropical forests and river systems. The San Blas Islands (Caribbean archipelago) lie to the northeast of the direct route. The terrain transitions from Ecuador's coastal plain through Colombia's Pacific coast (rarely visible due to cloud cover) into Panama's isthmus, where the Gatun Lake system becomes visible during descent.