The right side consistently offers the more visually engaging terrain — bays, estuaries, and dune fields — book-ending a flight where the left side is mostly open Atlantic water with little variation.
Flown SLZ to NAT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Sao Luis to Natal is 649 miles (1,045 km), a flight of about 1 hour 35 minutes.
Northeastern Brazilian coastline with scattered lagoons, dune belts near Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, and stretches of open Atlantic Ocean visible to the north of the flight path
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from SLZ
RIGHTDeparting São Luís, the right side gives passengers a view back over Ilha de São Luís, the mangrove-lined Baía de São Marcos, and the patchwork of tidal estuaries that make this stretch of coast so distinct. The left side over the open Atlantic offers little beyond featureless water.
Landing at NAT
RIGHTOn approach into Natal, the right side reveals the famous white dune fields near Genipabu, the mouth of the Rio Potengi, and the city's coastline as the aircraft turns onto final for runway 12. The left side remains dominated by open ocean until very late in the approach.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Marechal Cunha Machado (SLZ) to Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport (NAT)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sao Luis to Natal. The right side consistently offers the more visually engaging terrain — bays, estuaries, and dune fields — book-ending a flight where the left side is mostly open Atlantic water with little variation.
What can I see during takeoff from Marechal Cunha Machado in Sao Luis?
During takeoff from Marechal Cunha Machado (SLZ), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing São Luís, the right side gives passengers a view back over Ilha de São Luís, the mangrove-lined Baía de São Marcos, and the patchwork of tidal estuaries that make this stretch of coast so distinct. The left side over the open Atlantic offers little beyond featureless water. Notable sights include: Baía de São Marcos, Ilha de São Luís, mangrove estuaries, São Luís city waterfront.
What can I see when landing at Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport in Natal?
When landing at Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport (NAT), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Natal, the right side reveals the famous white dune fields near Genipabu, the mouth of the Rio Potengi, and the city's coastline as the aircraft turns onto final for runway 12. The left side remains dominated by open ocean until very late in the approach. Notable sights include: Genipabu dunes, Rio Potengi mouth, Natal coastline, Forte dos Reis Magos.
How long is the flight from Sao Luis to Natal?
The flight from Marechal Cunha Machado (SLZ) to Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport (NAT) takes about 1 hour 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 649 miles (1,045 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Sao Luis to Natal flight path pass over?
Northeastern Brazilian coastline with scattered lagoons, dune belts near Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, and stretches of open Atlantic Ocean visible to the north of the flight path