Photo: Davide guallini · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The driest non-polar desert on Earth stretches along Chile's northern coast. Its barren moonscape, copper mines, and salt flats are visible on South American Pacific coast routes.
57Flight Routes
OverheadClosest Pass
🏜️ DesertType
Routes that pass it57
PER → SCL
Both Sides
SCL → PER
Both Sides
CJC → LSC
Both Sides
LSC → CJC
Both Sides
EZE → SFO
Left
SFO → EZE
Right
AEP → LIM
Left
LIM → AEP
Right
EZE → LGB
Right
EZE → LIM
Right
LGB → EZE
Left
LIM → EZE
Left
CCP → CJC
Both Sides
CJC → CCP
Both Sides
EZE → LAX
Right
LAX → EZE
Left
EZE → SAN
Right
SAN → EZE
Left
EZE → ICN
Right
ICN → EZE
Left
COR → LIM
Both Sides
EZE → SAT
Left
LIM → COR
Both Sides
SAT → EZE
Right
AEP → PHX
Right
PHX → AEP
Left
ANS → SLC
Left
SLC → ANS
Right
CJC → SCL
Right
SCL → CJC
Left
EZE → MEX
Both Sides
EZE → PDX
Left
MEX → EZE
Both Sides
PDX → EZE
Right
ANS → DEN
Right
DEN → ANS
Left
CPO → SCL
Left
SCL → CPO
Right
BKK → EZE
Right
EZE → BKK
Left
EZE → SLC
Both Sides
SLC → EZE
Both Sides
AUS → EZE
Right
EZE → AUS
Left
EZE → KUL
Right
KUL → EZE
Left
BOI → EZE
Both Sides
EZE → BOI
Both Sides
LIM → MVD
Right
MVD → LIM
Left
EZE → SEA
Both Sides
SEA → EZE
Both Sides
GRU → HKG
Right
NEC → PDX
Left
PDX → NEC
Right
DEN → EZE
Right
EZE → DEN
Left
Tip: Visibility depends on cloud cover, time of day, and how close the flight path comes. Sit on the listed side for the best chance of a view. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see Atacama Desert from a plane?
Yes — 57 flight routes pass within 100 km of Atacama Desert. The closest routes include Perth to Santiago, Santiago to Perth, Calama to La Serena. The landmark is visible from both sides, passing directly overhead.
Which side of the plane is best for viewing Atacama Desert?
The best side varies by route. For the most common routes near Atacama Desert: on a Perth to Santiago flight, visible from both sides; on a Santiago to Perth flight, visible from both sides; on a Calama to La Serena flight, visible from both sides.