One of the world's highest active volcanoes at 5,897 metres, its near-perfect snow-capped cone south of Quito is visible on many South American routes.
Routes that pass it90
PTY → UIO
Both
UIO → PTY
Both
LIM → UIO
Both
UIO → LIM
Both
MIA → UIO
Both
UIO → MIA
Both
EZE → HOU
Both
HOU → EZE
Both
ATL → UIO
Both
UIO → ATL
Both
EZE → IAH
Both
IAH → EZE
Both
SCL → UIO
Both
UIO → SCL
Both
BOG → LHR
Both
LHR → BOG
Both
JFK → UIO
Both
LIM → PTY
Both
PTY → LIM
Both
UIO → JFK
Both
AMS → BOG
Right
BOG → AMS
Left
BOG → LTN
Left
LTN → BOG
Right
CUE → UIO
Right
BOG → GYE
Left
GYE → BOG
Right
BOG → FRA
Right
FRA → BOG
Left
AEP → UIO
Left
CTG → UIO
Left
EZE → UIO
Left
IAH → UIO
Right
UIO → AEP
Right
UIO → CTG
Right
UIO → EZE
Right
UIO → IAH
Left
SJO → UIO
Right
DFW → EZE
Right
EZE → DFW
Left
LPB → UIO
Left
UIO → LPB
Right
BOG → CDG
Right
CDG → BOG
Left
EOH → UIO
Left
UIO → EOH
Right
UIO → MDE
Right
SAL → UIO
Right
UIO → SAL
Left
UIO → MXL
Left
ATL → LIM
Left
LIM → ATL
Right
MEX → UIO
Right
UIO → MEX
Left
GYE → UIO
Right
UIO → GYE
Left
AMS → UIO
Left
LHR → UIO
Left
UIO → LHR
Right
LCY → UIO
Left
UIO → LCY
Right
GRU → UIO
Left
UIO → GRU
Right
BOG → UIO
Left
UIO → BOG
Right
BOG → DUB
Left
DUB → BOG
Right
LIM → MIA
Left
MIA → LIM
Right
GIG → UIO
Left
UIO → GIG
Right
MAD → UIO
Left
UIO → MAD
Right
FLL → LIM
Right
UIO → CMN
Right
DEN → EZE
Left
EZE → DEN
Right
UIO → MEC
Left
GPS → UIO
Right
ORD → SCL
Right
SCL → ORD
Left
UIO → GPS
Left
LIM → MKE
Right
MKE → LIM
Left
AXM → KEF
Left
KEF → AXM
Right
LIM → ATW
Right
LIM → ORD
Right
ORD → LIM
Left
TNG → WRE
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 Cotopaxi from a plane?
Yes — 90 flight routes pass within 80 km of Cotopaxi. The closest routes include Panama City to Quito, Quito to Panama City, Lima to Quito. Sit on the Both side.
Which side of the plane is best for viewing Cotopaxi?
The best side varies by route. For the most common routes near Cotopaxi: on a Panama City to Quito flight, sit on the Both side; on a Quito to Panama City flight, sit on the Both side; on a Lima to Quito flight, sit on the Both side.