La Serena to Calama is 532 miles (856 km), a flight of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
While takeoff offers coastal views, the landing approach provides more dramatic and visually distinctive scenery. The Atacama Desert, El Loa River valley, and Andes foothills visible on descent are more striking than the relatively flat coastal terrain at La Serena.
Flight Path
The flight path travels inland and northward across the Atacama Desert. Notable features include the transition from coastal semi-arid terrain to the hyperarid Atacama plateau, the Pan-American Highway (visible as a thin line crossing the desert), scattered mining operations and salt flats in the mid-desert region, and the gradual rise toward the Andes foothills as the aircraft approaches Calama. The El Loa River valley becomes increasingly visible as a green thread through the desert during the descent phase.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from LSC
RIGHTRight-side seats offer views of the Coquimbo coastal plain and the Pacific shoreline as the aircraft climbs northward. The Elqui River valley and surrounding semi-arid terrain provide clear geographic context during the initial climb.
Landing at CJC
LEFTLeft-side seats provide excellent views of the Atacama Desert landscape and the approach to Calama. The descent path typically brings the Andes foothills and the distinctive high-altitude desert terrain into clear view on the left side.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from La Florida (LSC) to El Loa (CJC)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from La Serena to Calama. While takeoff offers coastal views, the landing approach provides more dramatic and visually distinctive scenery. The Atacama Desert, El Loa River valley, and Andes foothills visible on descent are more striking than the relatively flat coastal terrain at La Serena.
What can I see during takeoff from La Florida in La Serena?
During takeoff from La Florida (LSC), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Coquimbo coastal plain and the Pacific shoreline as the aircraft climbs northward. The Elqui River valley and surrounding semi-arid terrain provide clear geographic context during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Pacific Ocean coastline, Coquimbo Bay, Elqui River valley, coastal desert scrubland.
What can I see when landing at El Loa in Calama?
When landing at El Loa (CJC), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views of the Atacama Desert landscape and the approach to Calama. The descent path typically brings the Andes foothills and the distinctive high-altitude desert terrain into clear view on the left side. Notable sights include: Atacama Desert plateau, Andes foothills, El Loa River valley, Calama city and surrounding mining operations.
How long is the flight from La Serena to Calama?
The flight from La Florida (LSC) to El Loa (CJC) takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 532 miles (856 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the La Serena to Calama flight path pass over?
The flight path travels inland and northward across the Atacama Desert. Notable features include the transition from coastal semi-arid terrain to the hyperarid Atacama plateau, the Pan-American Highway (visible as a thin line crossing the desert), scattered mining operations and salt flats in the mid-desert region, and the gradual rise toward the Andes foothills as the aircraft approaches Calama. The El Loa River valley becomes increasingly visible as a green thread through the desert during the descent phase.