About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from General Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada International (MXL) to Mariscal Sucre International (UIO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Mexicali to Quito. While left seats dominate the takeoff phase, right seats provide superior scenery for the longer descent into Quito, where the Andes Mountains and high-altitude landscape dominate the final 90 minutes of flight. The landing views are more dramatic and sustained than the takeoff views.
What can I see during takeoff from General Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada International in Mexicali?
During takeoff from General Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada International (MXL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left seats offer views of the Colorado River delta and the Sierra de Juárez mountain range as the aircraft climbs southeastward from Mexicali. Right seats face inland toward the flat Imperial Valley with minimal scenic relief. Notable sights include: Colorado River delta (visible as a braided waterway system), Sierra de Juárez (eastern mountain range), Salton Sea (distant, on the US side), Gulf of California (southern horizon).
What can I see when landing at Mariscal Sucre International in Quito?
When landing at Mariscal Sucre International (UIO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right seats provide excellent views of the Andes Mountains as the aircraft descends toward Quito from the north. The western cordillera and the high-altitude plateau (altiplano) are prominent on approach. Left seats face toward the Amazon basin with less dramatic topography. Notable sights include: Western Cordillera of the Andes (dominant mountain range), Quito's high-altitude basin (approximately 9,350 feet elevation), Pichincha volcano (extinct, near Quito), Altiplano plateau.
How long is the flight from Mexicali to Quito?
The flight from General Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada International (MXL) to Mariscal Sucre International (UIO) takes 4h 50m.
What does the Mexicali to Quito flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Pacific coastal plain of Mexico and Central America, passing over or near the Sierra Madre del Sur (southern Mexico), the volcanic highlands of Guatemala and El Salvador, and the Nicaraguan Depression. The Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemalan highlands are notable midpoint features. As the aircraft approaches Ecuador, it crosses the Pacific coast near the Colombian border before turning inland toward the Andes. The Amazon basin becomes visible to the east as the aircraft descends toward Quito.