Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Panama City to Miami. The right side wins overall because the Miami approach over Biscayne Bay and the city skyline is one of the most visually striking urban arrivals in North America. The takeoff left-side advantage is real but shorter-lived; the right side also picks up Caribbean coastline views over Cuba and the Florida Straits during cruise.

During takeoff from Tocumen International (PTY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Tocumen typically departs on runway 03R/21L or 03L/21R, heading roughly north. A left-side seat gives you a view back over Panama City, the Bay of Panama, and the Pacific coast as you climb out. You'll see the city skyline and the canal's Pacific entrance clearly. Notable sights include: Panama City skyline and Cinta Costera waterfront, Bay of Panama, Panama Canal Pacific entrance near Miraflores, Taboga Island in the bay.

When landing at Miami International (MIA), sit on the Right side for the best views. MIA typically lands on runways 08R/26L or 09/27, approaching from the east over the Atlantic. A right-side seat on approach gives you views over Biscayne Bay, the Miami Beach barrier island, and the downtown Miami skyline. The left side faces inland over the Everglades. Notable sights include: Miami Beach and South Beach barrier island, Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami and Brickell skyline, Port of Miami on Dodge Island.

The flight from Tocumen International (PTY) to Miami International (MIA) takes Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.

The flight tracks north-northwest over the Caribbean Sea, crossing the western tip of Cuba or skirting its western coast near Pinar del Rio province, then crossing the Florida Straits — a broad open-water stretch roughly 90 miles wide between Cuba and the Florida Keys. The Florida Keys appear as a thin curved chain of small islands before the shallow turquoise waters of Florida Bay and the Everglades come into view on the final descent into Miami.