About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) to Carrasco International (MVD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Santiago to Montevideo. Right-side seats capture the dramatic Andes departure and offer consistent views across the Pampas during cruise. While left wins on landing, the takeoff scenery is more visually striking and sustained.
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 northbound (Runway 07L/07R or 25L/25R depending on wind). Right-side seats offer views of the Andes cordillera rising immediately east of Santiago, with the snow-capped peaks of the Central Chile range dominating the horizon. Left seats face inland toward the Central Valley. Notable sights include: Andes Mountains (eastern escarpment), San Cristóbal Hill (Cerro San Cristóbal) in Santiago proper, Maipo River valley, Pre-Andean foothills.
What can I see when landing at Carrasco International in Montevideo?
When landing at Carrasco International (MVD), sit on the Left side for the best views. MVD approaches from the west over the Río de la Plata estuary. Left-side seats provide unobstructed views of the wide, muddy estuary waters and the Carrasco district's coastal approach. Right seats face inland toward Montevideo's urban sprawl with less distinctive geography. Notable sights include: Río de la Plata estuary (wide, silty waters), Carrasco Beach and coastal zone, Punta Carrasco headland, Montevideo skyline and Old City waterfront.
How long is the flight from Santiago to Montevideo?
The flight from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) to Carrasco International (MVD) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Santiago to Montevideo flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the flat Argentine Pampas at cruise altitude (typically 28,000-32,000 feet). Few distinctive landmarks are visible during cruise—the terrain is uniformly flat grassland with scattered agricultural fields and occasional river valleys (Río Paraná tributaries) appearing as thin lines. The horizon offers little relief. As the aircraft descends toward MVD, the Río de la Plata estuary becomes visible 40-50 miles out, appearing as a broad, muddy waterway separating Argentina from Uruguay. No major mountain ranges or dramatic features interrupt the flight path.