The Andes departure on the right side is one of the most spectacular mountain views available on any commercial route — a wall of 6,000m peaks filling the window. The Toronto arrival on the left is good but relatively modest by comparison. Right side wins overall for the Andes alone.
Flight Path
The route tracks north over the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, crosses into Peru and Ecuador, passes over the Amazon basin in Colombia and Venezuela — a vast unbroken green canopy — then crosses the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico or Cuba depending on routing, enters the southeastern United States over Florida or the Gulf Coast, and tracks northeast over the Appalachians and Great Lakes toward Toronto. The Amazon basin and Caribbean crossing are the most visually distinctive midpoint features.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SCL
RIGHTSCL's primary departure runway is 17/35, with northbound departures on 35 being most common. A right-side seat gives you a direct view east toward the Andes as the aircraft climbs out over the Santiago basin. The Cordillera is the dominant visual feature and is unmissable on the right side during this departure.
Landing at YYZ
LEFTYYZ's most common arrival is from the south or southwest on runways 05/06L/06R, meaning the aircraft approaches from the southwest over Lake Ontario. A left-side seat gives you the Toronto skyline and the CN Tower directly in view during final approach, with Lake Ontario visible behind you as you cross the shoreline.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) to Lester B Pearson International (YYZ)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Santiago to Toronto. The Andes departure on the right side is one of the most spectacular mountain views available on any commercial route — a wall of 6,000m peaks filling the window. The Toronto arrival on the left is good but relatively modest by comparison. Right side wins overall for the Andes alone.
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's primary departure runway is 17/35, with northbound departures on 35 being most common. A right-side seat gives you a direct view east toward the Andes as the aircraft climbs out over the Santiago basin. The Cordillera is the dominant visual feature and is unmissable on the right side during this departure. Notable sights include: Cerro El Plomo (5,424m), Volcán Tupungato (6,570m), the Santiago urban grid spreading across the basin, the smog layer sitting in the valley below the snowline.
What can I see when landing at Lester B Pearson International in Toronto?
When landing at Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Left side for the best views. YYZ's most common arrival is from the south or southwest on runways 05/06L/06R, meaning the aircraft approaches from the southwest over Lake Ontario. A left-side seat gives you the Toronto skyline and the CN Tower directly in view during final approach, with Lake Ontario visible behind you as you cross the shoreline. Notable sights include: CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, the Toronto Islands, Highway 427 and suburban Mississauga grid.
How long is the flight from Santiago to Toronto?
The flight from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) to Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours.
What does the Santiago to Toronto flight path pass over?
The route tracks north over the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, crosses into Peru and Ecuador, passes over the Amazon basin in Colombia and Venezuela — a vast unbroken green canopy — then crosses the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico or Cuba depending on routing, enters the southeastern United States over Florida or the Gulf Coast, and tracks northeast over the Appalachians and Great Lakes toward Toronto. The Amazon basin and Caribbean crossing are the most visually distinctive midpoint features.