Right-side seats capture the most dramatic scenery: São Miguel's volcanic calderas and peaks during departure, then the open Atlantic crossing, and finally Flores's eastern approach. Left seats offer excellent landing views but miss the superior takeoff scenery.
Flight Path
The flight crosses open Atlantic Ocean between the two islands. At cruise altitude (around 20,000 feet), passengers see only ocean with occasional cloud formations. The distance between Ponta Delgada and Flores is roughly 90 nautical miles northwest. No significant land features exist between the islands—this is entirely oceanic crossing. Weather patterns and Atlantic swell direction may be visible from altitude. The approach to Flores begins when the island becomes visible on the horizon approximately 20-25 minutes before landing.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ponta Delgada (PDL) to Flores (FLW)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Ponta Delgada to Flores (flores Isl.). Right-side seats capture the most dramatic scenery: São Miguel's volcanic calderas and peaks during departure, then the open Atlantic crossing, and finally Flores's eastern approach. Left seats offer excellent landing views but miss the superior takeoff scenery.
What can I see during takeoff from Ponta Delgada in Ponta Delgada?
During takeoff from Ponta Delgada (PDL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of São Miguel's volcanic peaks and the southern coastline as you climb out. The aircraft typically departs eastbound initially, giving right-side passengers clear sightlines of the island's interior calderas and the Atlantic shoreline. Notable sights include: Pico da Cruz (highest point on São Miguel at 1,105 m), Lagoa de Santiago crater lake, southern coastal cliffs near Ponta Delgada, Atlantic Ocean extending south.
What can I see when landing at Flores in Flores (flores Isl.)?
When landing at Flores (FLW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide the best views during approach to Flores. The aircraft descends from the northeast, and left-side passengers see the dramatic western cliffs of Flores island and the approach path over the Atlantic before touchdown. Notable sights include: Flores island's western sea cliffs (some exceeding 600 m), Caldeira crater on central Flores, Fajã Grande settlement on the western coast, Atlantic swells approaching from the west.
How long is the flight from Ponta Delgada to Flores (flores Isl.)?
The flight from Ponta Delgada (PDL) to Flores (FLW) takes Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
What does the Ponta Delgada to Flores (flores Isl.) flight path pass over?
The flight crosses open Atlantic Ocean between the two islands. At cruise altitude (around 20,000 feet), passengers see only ocean with occasional cloud formations. The distance between Ponta Delgada and Flores is roughly 90 nautical miles northwest. No significant land features exist between the islands—this is entirely oceanic crossing. Weather patterns and Atlantic swell direction may be visible from altitude. The approach to Flores begins when the island becomes visible on the horizon approximately 20-25 minutes before landing.