While takeoff offers estuary views on the right, the landing approach into Rio provides far more dramatic and distinctive geography. Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Corcovado range are iconic and unmissable from the left side during final approach.
Flown MVD to GIG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Montevideo to Rio De Janeiro is 1,133 miles (1,823 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Atlantic coast of Uruguay near Punta del Este, then tracks northeast over open ocean. The South Atlantic provides little visual interest at cruise altitude. As you approach Rio, the Brazilian coast becomes visible with the Serra do Mar mountain range running parallel to the shoreline. Guanabara Bay appears as a distinctive indentation in the coastline roughly 30 minutes before landing.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from MVD
RIGHTCarrasco typically departs runways 26 or 27 (westbound), which means climbing out over the Río de la Plata estuary to the south and west. Right-side seats capture the wide, shallow estuary and the Uruguayan coastline receding beneath you.
Landing at GIG
LEFTGaleão sits on Governador Island in Guanabara Bay. Approach vectors typically use runways 04L/04R or 10L/10R depending on wind. Left-side seats on final approach capture Guanabara Bay's dramatic geography, the Sugarloaf Mountain, and the city of Rio sprawling across the coastal mountains.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Carrasco International (MVD) to Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Montevideo to Rio De Janeiro. While takeoff offers estuary views on the right, the landing approach into Rio provides far more dramatic and distinctive geography. Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Corcovado range are iconic and unmissable from the left side during final approach.
What can I see during takeoff from Carrasco International in Montevideo?
During takeoff from Carrasco International (MVD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Carrasco typically departs runways 26 or 27 (westbound), which means climbing out over the Río de la Plata estuary to the south and west. Right-side seats capture the wide, shallow estuary and the Uruguayan coastline receding beneath you. Notable sights include: Río de la Plata (massive brown estuary), Punta Carretas peninsula, Maldonado department coastline to the east, Atlantic Ocean horizon.
What can I see when landing at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim in Rio De Janeiro?
When landing at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Galeão sits on Governador Island in Guanabara Bay. Approach vectors typically use runways 04L/04R or 10L/10R depending on wind. Left-side seats on final approach capture Guanabara Bay's dramatic geography, the Sugarloaf Mountain, and the city of Rio sprawling across the coastal mountains. Notable sights include: Guanabara Bay (distinctive kidney-shaped inlet), Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), Corcovado peak with Christ the Redeemer statue, Serra da Carioca mountain range.
How long is the flight from Montevideo to Rio De Janeiro?
The flight from Carrasco International (MVD) to Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim (GIG) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,133 miles (1,823 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Montevideo to Rio De Janeiro flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Atlantic coast of Uruguay near Punta del Este, then tracks northeast over open ocean. The South Atlantic provides little visual interest at cruise altitude. As you approach Rio, the Brazilian coast becomes visible with the Serra do Mar mountain range running parallel to the shoreline. Guanabara Bay appears as a distinctive indentation in the coastline roughly 30 minutes before landing.