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BBA → PUQ
Which side of the plane to sit from Balmaceda Airport (Balmaceda) to Pdte. Carlos Ibañez del Campo Airport (Punta Arenas)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers an unparalleled panoramic view of the rugged Chilean coastline, the intricate network of Patagonian fjords, and the iconic granite towers of Torres del Paine during the descent into Punta Arenas.
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Patagonian Fjords
The intricate labyrinth of deep blue water channels and thousands of uninhabited islands along the Pacific coast.
Glaciar Brüggen
Also known as Pio XI, this is the largest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere outside Antarctica, visible as it meets the sea.
Torres del Paine
The legendary granite spires and the Cuernos del Paine are visible on clear days about 20-30 minutes before landing.
Strait of Magellan
The historic waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific, visible as the plane maneuvers for its final approach.
The right side is the 'must-have' for scenery on this route. For the best lighting on the fjords and Torres del Paine, choose a morning flight when the sun illuminates the mountains from the east. Ensure you have a window seat clear of the wing, as the descent into PUQ over the fjords is one of the most scenic in the world. Clouds often hug the coast, so check the weather forecast for 'Puerto Natales' or 'Punta Arenas' to gauge visibility.
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Cerro San Lorenzo
Visible shortly after takeoff, this is the second-highest peak in the Patagonian Andes, featuring dramatic glacial walls.
Southern Ice Field
A massive, continuous expanse of white ice stretching across the horizon, representing one of the world's largest freshwater reserves.
Patagonian Steppe
As you approach the south, the landscape transitions into the vast, wind-swept golden plains of the interior.
Laguna Blanca
A large, shimmering lake located north of Punta Arenas, often surrounded by local wildlife and migratory birds.
Sit on the left if you are flying in the afternoon to avoid the direct glare of the sun. This side provides the best perspective of the deep interior mountain ranges and the transition from the Andes to the flat pampas. Keep an eye out for the massive glacial tongues that spill eastward from the ice fields.
Get eSIMs for Chile
Get eSIMs for ChileDistance: 790 km (491 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 19 min
Departure: BBA (-45.91609954833984, -71.68949890136719)
Arrival: PUQ (-53.002602, -70.854599)
Route Type: Domestic
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