Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Jose to Richmond. The takeoff scenery from Costa Rica's volcanic peaks and Central Valley is more visually dramatic and distinctive than the landing approach into Richmond. Right-side seats capture the most impressive geographic features of the departure phase.

During takeoff from Juan Santamaria International (SJO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Central Valley and the volcanic peaks that dominate Costa Rica's geography during northbound climb-out. The Cordillera Central runs roughly north-south and is best framed from the right wing as the aircraft climbs northeast toward the Caribbean and then northward. Notable sights include: Poás Volcano (2,708 m, active crater visible on clear days), Barva Volcano, Central Valley agricultural plains, Caribbean coastal lowlands to the northeast.

When landing at Richmond International (RIC), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide views of the Appalachian foothills and the James River valley as the aircraft descends into Richmond from the northwest. The terrain west and southwest of Richmond is more visually distinctive than the flat Piedmont to the east. Notable sights include: James River and its meanders through Richmond, Appalachian foothills to the west, Richmond's downtown skyline and James River Park System, Piedmont plateau terrain.

The flight from Juan Santamaria International (SJO) to Richmond International (RIC) takes 4h 15m.

The flight path crosses the Yucatan Peninsula (limestone platform with cenotes and sparse vegetation visible at altitude), the Gulf of Mexico (open water for approximately 2 hours of flight time), and the Louisiana-Mississippi coastal plain with its delta systems and bayou networks. The Mississippi River is visible as a wide, meandering brown ribbon in the middle distance during the approach to the continental United States. The flight then crosses the lower Mississippi Valley and Tennessee-Kentucky border regions before descending into Virginia's Piedmont.