Photo: Lacobrigo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Portugal's mid-Atlantic archipelago rises dramatically from the ocean. Transatlantic flights sometimes pass near or over the Azores, and the volcanic islands with their green calderas are spectacular from above.
123Flight Routes
OverheadClosest Pass
🌿 IslandType
Routes that pass it123
LIS → PDL
Both Sides
PDL → LIS
Both Sides
PDL → VLC
Both Sides
VLC → PDL
Both Sides
BOS → PDL
Both Sides
CDG → PDL
Both Sides
EWR → PDL
Both Sides
FLW → PDL
Both Sides
HOR → PDL
Both Sides
JFK → PDL
Both Sides
LHR → PDL
Both Sides
OPO → PDL
Both Sides
PDL → BOS
Both Sides
PDL → CDG
Both Sides
PDL → EWR
Both Sides
PDL → FLW
Both Sides
PDL → JFK
Both Sides
PDL → LHR
Both Sides
PDL → OPO
Both Sides
PDL → PIX
Both Sides
PDL → TER
Both Sides
PDL → YYZ
Both Sides
PDL → ZRH
Both Sides
PIX → PDL
Both Sides
YYZ → PDL
Both Sides
ZRH → PDL
Both Sides
BOS → PIX
Both Sides
DUB → SYD
Both Sides
PIX → BOS
Both Sides
SYD → DUB
Both Sides
JFK → PIX
Both Sides
PIX → JFK
Both Sides
MAD → PTY
Right
PTY → MAD
Left
BWI → PIX
Right
PIX → BWI
Left
MAD → PUJ
Left
MDW → PIX
Left
PIX → MDW
Right
PUJ → MAD
Right
JFK → JRO
Left
JRO → JFK
Right
JFK → MRU
Left
MRU → JFK
Right
MAD → SIG
Right
SIG → MAD
Left
ATL → PIX
Right
LAX → PIX
Left
PIX → ATL
Left
PIX → LAX
Right
MAD → SJU
Right
SJU → MAD
Left
LAS → PIX
Left
PIX → LAS
Right
LPP → SCL
Right
SCL → LPP
Left
MSY → PIX
Right
PIX → MSY
Left
AMS → LPB
Right
LPB → AMS
Left
HEX → MAD
Right
MAD → HEX
Left
EWR → RAK
Right
RAK → EWR
Left
BWU → LHR
Right
LHR → BWU
Left
PIX → SFO
Right
SFO → PIX
Left
BOS → TER
Right
TER → BOS
Left
AMS → ORG
Left
ORG → AMS
Right
LHR → SYD
Left
SYD → LHR
Right
LCY → SYD
Left
SYD → LCY
Right
MCO → PIX
Right
PIX → MCO
Left
JFK → WIL
Right
WIL → JFK
Left
PDX → PIX
Left
PIX → PDX
Right
AGA → JFK
Right
JFK → AGA
Left
PIX → SEA
Right
SEA → PIX
Left
ATL → RAK
Left
RAK → ATL
Right
BBA → EDI
Left
EDI → BBA
Right
DAR → JFK
Right
JFK → DAR
Left
LIS → PUJ
Right
PUJ → LIS
Left
LIS → PIX
Left
PIX → LIS
Right
LBG → LIM
Left
LIM → LBG
Right
CDG → LIM
Left
LIM → CDG
Right
BOS → JRO
Right
EWR → PXO
Left
JRO → BOS
Left
LIS → TER
Left
PXO → EWR
Right
TER → LIS
Right
AGP → MIA
Left
MIA → AGP
Right
FRA → LIM
Left
LIM → FRA
Right
IAD → JRO
Left
JRO → IAD
Right
CMN → IAD
Left
IAD → CMN
Right
SAW → CCS
Right
CIJ → LHR
Right
LHR → CIJ
Left
CMN → JFK
Left
JFK → CMN
Right
BOG → FCO
Left
FCO → BOG
Right
BOG → CIA
Left
CIA → BOG
Right
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 Azores from a plane?
Yes — 123 flight routes pass within 200 km of Azores. The closest routes include Lisbon to Ponta Delgada, Ponta Delgada to Lisbon, Ponta Delgada to Valencia. The landmark is visible from both sides, passing directly overhead.
Which side of the plane is best for viewing Azores?
The best side varies by route. For the most common routes near Azores: on a Lisbon to Ponta Delgada flight, visible from both sides; on a Ponta Delgada to Lisbon flight, visible from both sides; on a Ponta Delgada to Valencia flight, visible from both sides.