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FRA destination photo
PDL destination photo

FRAPDL

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers a superior perspective of the Portuguese coast and the lush southern coastline of São Miguel during the final approach into Ponta Delgada, featuring the iconic volcanic islet of Vila Franca do Campo.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🏙️

Frankfurt Skyline

Aerial view of the Main river and the 'Mainhattan' skyscraper district shortly after takeoff.

🍷

Loire Valley

Glimpses of the winding river and historic French countryside as you transit central France.

⛰️

Picos de Europa

Distant views of the jagged Cantabrian Mountains in Northern Spain depending on the flight corridor.

🏝️

Ilhéu de Vila Franca

A stunning, perfectly circular volcanic crater islet just off the coast during the final descent.

🌊

Southern São Miguel

Sweeping views of the green cliffs, terraced fields, and coastal towns like Lagoa before landing.

Sit on the left for the best sunlight management on morning flights to avoid direct glare. During the descent into PDL, keep your camera ready for the iconic Vila Franca islet about 10-15 minutes before landing. On evening flights, the left side catches the warm golden hour glow over the Atlantic.

Right Side Highlights
7.2
🌲

Taunus Mountains

Views of the rolling forested hills north of Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region during initial climb.

🏖️

Brittany Coastline

The rugged western tip of France where the rocky shoreline meets the deep blue Atlantic Ocean.

🚢

Bay of Biscay

Expansive views of the vast maritime corridor between France and Spain, often dotted with cargo ships.

☁️

Atlantic Horizon

Endless vistas of cloud formations and the deep ocean during the long mid-flight cruise phase.

🌋

Sete Cidades

Potential views of the famous twin lakes and massive volcanic craters if the plane loops around the island's west end.

The right side is ideal for avoiding direct sun during afternoon flights, providing a cooler cabin and better visibility for the ocean horizon. It offers a unique view of the northern cliffs of São Miguel if the wind necessitates a westerly approach to the runway.

Top Activities in Ponta Delgada
Route Information

Distance: 3,032 km (1,884 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 34 min

Departure: FRA (50.033333, 8.570556)

Arrival: PDL (37.7411994934, -25.6979007721)

Route Type: International

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