Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Santiago to Calama. The right side captures the dramatic Andes departure and maintains excellent views of the high desert terrain and volcanic peaks throughout the northbound flight. The left side's landing approach is good but brief; right-side dominance during the longer climb-out and cruise phases makes it the better overall choice.

During takeoff from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL), sit on the Right side for the best views. SCL typically departs northbound (runways 07L/07R or 25L/25R depending on wind). Right-side seats offer the best view of the Andes cordillera rising dramatically to the east as you climb out, with the snow-capped peaks of the Central Chilean range becoming increasingly prominent. Notable sights include: Andes cordillera (eastern escarpment), Maipo River valley (dark linear feature below), Santiago urban sprawl (grid pattern receding westward), pre-Andean foothills (intermediate ridgelines).

When landing at El Loa (CJC), sit on the Left side for the best views. Approaching CJC from the south, descent vectors typically align with runways 09/27. Left-side seats provide unobstructed views of the Atacama Desert's distinctive salt flats and the Sierra de Lascar volcanic complex as you descend into the Calama basin. Notable sights include: Atacama salt flats (white geometric patches), Sierra de Lascar volcano (dark conical peak), Calama oasis (green agricultural grid), pre-cordilleran ridges (rust-colored).

The flight from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) to El Loa (CJC) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Central Chilean Andes at roughly 10,000-12,000 feet altitude, passing east of the main cordillera. Notable features include the Maipo and Cachapoal river valleys (dark linear features), intermediate pre-Andean ridges, and the transition from the Mediterranean climate zone (green foothills) into the arid Atacama Desert. The terrain progressively dries and becomes more barren northward. High-altitude volcanic peaks including Tupungato (6,570m) and San Pedro (6,145m) may be visible on the eastern horizon depending on atmospheric clarity.