Left side wins both ends of the flight. The volcanic Sierra Nevada on departure is one of the most dramatic airport exits anywhere in the world, and the Amsterdam approach from the left gives you the canal city and North Sea coast. Over the Atlantic the views are symmetric, but the bookend geography strongly favors the left seat throughout.
Flown MEX to AMS? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Mexico City to Amsterdam is 5,720 miles (9,206 km), a flight of about 11 hours 30 minutes.
After departing Mexico, the route tracks northeast over the Gulf of Mexico, then crosses the Atlantic. You pass north of the Azores archipelago (visible on clear days as small dark volcanic islands in the deep blue Atlantic, roughly midpoint). The flight then crosses northern Spain or France depending on routing, where the Pyrenees may be visible as a snow-capped mountain chain on the horizon, before crossing into the flat lowlands of northern France and Belgium on descent into Amsterdam.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from MEX
LEFTMEX typically departs on runway 05R heading northeast, which puts the left (north) side facing the Sierra Nevada volcanic chain. You get a direct broadside view of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl as the aircraft climbs out over the Valley of Mexico. The right side faces the urban sprawl of eastern Mexico City with no comparable natural features.
Landing at AMS
LEFTSchiphol's most common landing approach is from the east on runway 18R/27 or from the northeast on runway 06, and on final approach the left side faces Amsterdam city center and the IJ waterway. The right side typically faces open polder farmland with fewer distinctive features. A left seat gives you the Amsterdam canal ring, the harbor, and the North Sea coast on the horizon.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Licenciado Benito Juarez International (MEX) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Mexico City to Amsterdam. Left side wins both ends of the flight. The volcanic Sierra Nevada on departure is one of the most dramatic airport exits anywhere in the world, and the Amsterdam approach from the left gives you the canal city and North Sea coast. Over the Atlantic the views are symmetric, but the bookend geography strongly favors the left seat throughout.
What can I see during takeoff from Licenciado Benito Juarez International in Mexico City?
During takeoff from Licenciado Benito Juarez International (MEX), sit on the Left side for the best views. MEX typically departs on runway 05R heading northeast, which puts the left (north) side facing the Sierra Nevada volcanic chain. You get a direct broadside view of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl as the aircraft climbs out over the Valley of Mexico. The right side faces the urban sprawl of eastern Mexico City with no comparable natural features. Notable sights include: Popocatépetl (active volcano, 17,802 ft), Iztaccíhuatl (dormant volcano, 17,159 ft), Lake Texcoco remnant basin, Mexico City urban grid spreading across the valley floor.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol's most common landing approach is from the east on runway 18R/27 or from the northeast on runway 06, and on final approach the left side faces Amsterdam city center and the IJ waterway. The right side typically faces open polder farmland with fewer distinctive features. A left seat gives you the Amsterdam canal ring, the harbor, and the North Sea coast on the horizon. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring and city center, IJ waterway and Amsterdam harbor, North Sea coastline to the northwest, Dutch polder landscape with characteristic rectangular field patterns.
How long is the flight from Mexico City to Amsterdam?
The flight from Licenciado Benito Juarez International (MEX) to Schiphol (AMS) takes about 11 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,720 miles (9,206 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Mexico City to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
After departing Mexico, the route tracks northeast over the Gulf of Mexico, then crosses the Atlantic. You pass north of the Azores archipelago (visible on clear days as small dark volcanic islands in the deep blue Atlantic, roughly midpoint). The flight then crosses northern Spain or France depending on routing, where the Pyrenees may be visible as a snow-capped mountain chain on the horizon, before crossing into the flat lowlands of northern France and Belgium on descent into Amsterdam.