About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Guarulhos (GRU)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Sao Paulo. The right side wins overall due to the spectacular London departure view over the Thames and city center, which is one of the most recognizable urban aerial panoramas in the world. The left side has a solid São Paulo arrival, but the departure experience is the stronger of the two. During the long overwater Atlantic crossing, neither side offers meaningful geographic advantage.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Heathrow departures heading east on runway 27L/27R (westbound) or 09L/09R (eastbound) — for the typical eastbound departure toward the South Atlantic, a right-side seat gives views over central London as the aircraft turns southeast. You'll see the Thames snaking through the city, the Canary Wharf cluster, and the O2 Arena before the aircraft tracks south over Kent. Notable sights include: Thames River bends through central London, Canary Wharf tower cluster, O2 Arena at Greenwich Peninsula, North Downs of Kent.
What can I see when landing at Guarulhos in Sao Paulo?
When landing at Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Left side for the best views. Guarulhos typically receives aircraft from the north or northeast, with approaches over the Serra da Mantiqueira foothills. A left-side seat on final approach gives a clear view over the São Paulo metropolitan sprawl extending to the south and southwest, with the city's dense urban grid and the Billings and Guarapiranga reservoirs visible to the south. Notable sights include: São Paulo metropolitan urban grid, Billings Reservoir to the south, Serra da Mantiqueira foothills to the north, Tietê River valley.
How long is the flight from London to Sao Paulo?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Guarulhos (GRU) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the London to Sao Paulo flight path pass over?
The route tracks south from the UK over France and the Iberian Peninsula, crosses the Strait of Gibraltar, then heads southwest over the Atlantic Ocean. The Cape Verde Islands may be visible far to the right around the midpoint. The route crosses the equator over open ocean, then approaches the Brazilian coast near Recife or Natal, where the northeastern Brazilian coastline and the mouth of the Amazon basin become visible before the long inland track south to São Paulo.