NAT

Best window seat at Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Taking offLEFT

Potengi River estuary, Atlantic Ocean shoreline, Natal city sprawl

LandingLEFT

Potengi River estuary, Genipabu sand dunes, Atlantic Ocean coastline

🛫 Taking Off from Natal (NAT)

Best sideLeft
WhyRunway 12 departures head east-northeast, placing the Atlantic coastline and the Potengi River estuary on your left side during initial climb. The left window offers the most dramatic coastal geography as you gain altitude over the Natal metropolitan area.
Look forPotengi River estuary, Atlantic Ocean shoreline, Natal city sprawl, Genipabu dunes (distant, south)

🛬 Landing at Natal (NAT)

Best sideLeft
WhyLanding on runway 12 (heading east-northeast at ~099°) means the aircraft approaches from the west. The left side faces north toward the Atlantic coastline, where you'll see the Potengi River estuary, Genipabu dunes, and the coastal lagoons that define Natal's geography. The right side faces inland toward relatively featureless scrubland.
Look forPotengi River estuary, Genipabu sand dunes, Atlantic Ocean coastline, Natal lagoon system

Opened in 2014 to replace the older Augusto Severo Airport, this modern single-runway airport has a spacious terminal built to handle growth in tourism traffic, though it remains a mid-sized regional gateway rather than a major hub.

⛰️ Elevation272 ft
🛫 Runways1 (12/30)

Connecting at NAT?

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport (NAT)?

At Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport in Natal: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Potengi River estuary, Atlantic Ocean shoreline, Natal city sprawl, Genipabu dunes (distant, south).

What can I see during takeoff from Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport in Natal?

When taking off from Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport (NAT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Runway 12 departures head east-northeast, placing the Atlantic coastline and the Potengi River estuary on your left side during initial climb. The left window offers the most dramatic coastal geography as you gain altitude over the Natal metropolitan area. Notable sights include: Potengi River estuary, Atlantic Ocean shoreline, Natal city sprawl, Genipabu dunes (distant, south).

What can I see when landing at Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport in Natal?

When landing at Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport (NAT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Landing on runway 12 (heading east-northeast at ~099°) means the aircraft approaches from the west. The left side faces north toward the Atlantic coastline, where you'll see the Potengi River estuary, Genipabu dunes, and the coastal lagoons that define Natal's geography. The right side faces inland toward relatively featureless scrubland. Notable sights include: Potengi River estuary, Genipabu sand dunes, Atlantic Ocean coastline, Natal lagoon system.

What factors affect the best window seat at Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport?

The best window seat at Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport (NAT) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Natal (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.