Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Miami to Rio De Janeiro. The landing view on the left into Rio de Janeiro — with Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf, and Corcovado all visible simultaneously — is one of the most dramatic urban approaches in the world and edges out Miami's departure views. For the full flight, left side also catches the Amazon basin's river systems and the Brazilian coast on descent.

During takeoff from Miami International (MIA), sit on the Right side for the best views. MIA typically departs east on runway 09 or southeast on runway 12, then turns south over Biscayne Bay. Right side passengers get Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys chain stretching southwest, and the Atlantic coastline. Left side faces inland toward the Everglades. Notable sights include: Biscayne Bay, Virginia Key and Key Biscayne, the Florida Keys chain, Miami Beach barrier island.

When landing at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG), sit on the Left side for the best views. GIG typically lands on runway 10 approaching from the west, or runway 28 approaching from the east over Guanabara Bay. On the common runway 10 approach from the west, left side passengers get Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the city of Rio. Right side faces north toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer statue, Niterói across the bay.

The flight from Miami International (MIA) to Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.

The route crosses the Caribbean Sea, then the mouth of the Amazon River delta near Belém — a massive brown freshwater plume visible from altitude — then tracks south over the Brazilian interior plateau (Cerrado savanna), crossing the São Francisco River basin before descending toward Rio's coast.