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AMS → MEX
Which side of the plane to sit from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam) to Licenciado Benito Juarez International Airport (Mexico City)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side (Starboard) is generally superior for this transatlantic crossing because it offers the highest probability of viewing the majestic Greenland ice sheets and the rugged wilderness of the Canadian Shield. Additionally, it avoids the direct southern sun glare for much of the flight, providing clearer visibility of the Great Lakes and the dramatic descent into the high-altitude Valley of Mexico.
Scottish Highlands
Clear views of the rugged peaks and deep lochs of Northern Scotland during the initial climb-out phase.
Greenland Ice Cap
One of the flight's greatest rewards; witness the sprawling glaciers and massive icebergs along the southern coast of Greenland.
Canadian Wilderness
Fly over the vast, lake-strewn landscapes of Quebec and Ontario, showcasing the raw beauty of the Canadian Shield.
The Great Lakes
Experience the massive scale of the Great Lakes, often passing directly over or near Lake Ontario and Lake Huron.
Sierra Madre Oriental
The dramatic transition from the US plains into the jagged, arid mountain ranges of North-Central Mexico.
The right side provides the best lighting for photography as the sun remains to the south. Keep a close eye on the flight map as you pass 60 degrees North latitude; this is your best window for spotting Greenland’s ice. During the descent into Mexico City, the right side offers a spectacular view of the urban sprawl climbing up the surrounding mountainsides.
North Sea Shipping
View the dense network of cargo ships and offshore wind farms shortly after departing the Dutch coast.
US Eastern Seaboard
Distant views of the illuminated coastal sprawl from Boston down to the Carolinas depending on the weather track.
Gulf of Mexico
As the plane turns south towards Mexico, the transition from the deep blue Atlantic to the turquoise Gulf waters is visible.
Popocatépetl Volcano
On the final approach into Mexico City, this massive active volcano often appears out of the clouds to the south.
Choose the left side if you are primarily interested in the approach into Mexico City; the iconic volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl are often visible on this side during the descent. Since this is a westbound daytime flight, keep your window shade partially closed during the mid-flight to avoid the intense southern sun, opening it specifically for the approach into MEX.
Distance: 9,206 km (5,720 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 10 hrs 50 min
Departure: AMS (52.308601, 4.76389)
Arrival: MEX (19.4363, -99.072098)
Route Type: International
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