About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) to Mataveri International (IPC)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Santiago to Easter Island. While takeoff offers Andes views on the right, the landing approach on the left provides the more distinctive and memorable visual—Easter Island's volcanic terrain and Rano Kau crater are geographically unique and dramatic. The flight path itself crosses 2,300 km of open Pacific with no intermediate landmarks.
What can I see during takeoff from Arturo Merino Benitez International in Santiago?
During takeoff from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL), sit on the Right side for the best views. SCL typically departs northwestbound (runways 07L/07R or 25L/25R depending on wind). Right-side seats capture the Andes spine receding northward and the sprawl of Santiago's western districts. Left seats face inland toward the cordillera's eastern slopes, less dramatic from altitude. Notable sights include: Andes Mountains (main ridge running north), Santiago urban sprawl (western sectors), Maipo River valley (visible as linear depression), Cerro San Cristóbal (small peak within city limits).
What can I see when landing at Mataveri International in Easter Island?
When landing at Mataveri International (IPC), sit on the Left side for the best views. Approach to IPC (Mataveri) typically uses runway 10/28 depending on wind. Left-side seats on descent capture Easter Island's volcanic landscape—Rano Kau crater and the island's distinctive conical peaks rising from the Pacific. Right seats see open ocean with minimal visual interest. Notable sights include: Rano Kau crater (large volcanic depression on southwestern coast), Rano Raraku (cinder cone in eastern sector), Pacific Ocean (surrounding the island), Anakena Beach (white sand beach on northern coast).
How long is the flight from Santiago to Easter Island?
The flight from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) to Mataveri International (IPC) takes Approximately 5.5 to 6 hours.
What does the Santiago to Easter Island flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the South Pacific Ocean with no visible land. At cruise altitude (35,000 feet), passengers may observe scattered cumulus clouds over the open water. The route passes roughly 1,000 km south of the Juan Fernández Islands (not visible at cruise altitude). No other significant geographic features exist along this transoceanic corridor.