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DTW → GRU
Which side of the plane to sit from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit) to Guarulhos - Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport (Sao Paulo)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft provides a superior geographical journey, offering views of the Appalachian Mountains, the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, and the vast, uninterrupted expanse of the Amazon Rainforest.
Appalachian Mountains
Shortly after departure, view the rolling ridges and valleys of the eastern United States.
Caribbean Archipelagos
Clear views of the Bahamas or the eastern tip of Cuba are common during the first third of the flight.
Amazon Basin
Witness the world's largest rainforest, a dense green carpet stretching to the horizon as you cross northern Brazil.
Brazilian Highlands
Observe the rugged terrain and plateau regions of central Brazil as the flight heads south towards Sao Paulo.
Sao Paulo Megacity
On the final descent, the right side often provides a sprawling view of the massive urban density of the Sao Paulo metropolitan area.
The right side is ideal for daytime observation. Ensure you have your camera ready about 2-3 hours before landing for the best lighting over the Amazon. During the northern winter, this side also catches the sunset over the Caribbean if the flight departs in the late afternoon.
Detroit Skyline
Catch views of the Detroit River and the downtown skyline immediately after takeoff from DTW.
Atlantic Sunrise
On overnight flights, the left side offers front-row seats to a spectacular sunrise over the open Atlantic Ocean.
Northeastern Brazilian Coast
As the plane approaches South America, you may see the white sands of the Maranhão coast depending on the specific GPS track.
Most DTW to GRU flights are overnight. Choose the left side if you want to avoid the evening sun and prefer a quiet, dark cabin for sleeping, followed by a beautiful sunrise over the ocean as you approach the equator.
Distance: 8,224 km (5,110 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 41 min
Departure: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Arrival: GRU (-23.435556411743164, -46.47305679321289)
Route Type: International
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