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GDL → PTY
Which side of the plane to sit from Don Miguel Hidalgo Y Costilla International Airport (Guadalajara) to Tocumen International Airport (Panama City)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a front-row seat to the dramatic volcanic chain of Central America and provides the iconic aerial view of the Panama Canal and the Pacific shipping lanes upon arrival.
Search flights from GDL to PTY
Oaxaca Coastline
Dramatic cliffs and hidden bays where the Sierra Madre del Sur meets the Pacific Ocean.
Guatemalan Volcanic Arc
A spectacular line of active peaks, including Fuego and Agua, rising above the clouds.
Lake Nicaragua
The massive inland sea featuring the twin-volcano island of Ometepe.
Panama Canal Entrance
Dozens of cargo ships anchored in the Bay of Panama waiting for transit.
Bridge of the Americas
The iconic bridge connecting North and South America visible during the final descent into PTY.
Sit on the right for the most iconic views. Request a seat ahead of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the Panama Canal approach. For morning flights, the sun will be on the opposite side, reducing window glare and making it easier to photograph the volcanoes and shipping lanes.
Book Hotels in Panama CityPopocatépetl & Iztaccihuatl
Distant but majestic views of Mexico's famous snow-capped volcanoes shortly after departure.
Chiapas Rainforest
Dense, vibrant green canopies covering the Lacandon Jungle near the Guatemalan border.
Gulf of Honduras
The turquoise transition where the Central American landmass meets the Caribbean Sea.
San Blas Islands
A stunning view of the Guna Yala archipelago's white sand cays just before landing.
Choose this side for softer morning light as you travel southeast. This side is better for observing the dense tropical storms that frequently build up over the Caribbean during the wet season (May–November), providing spectacular lightning shows on night flights.
Get eSIMs for Mexico
Get eSIMs for PanamaDistance: 2,864 km (1,780 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 49 min
Departure: GDL (20.521799087524418, -103.31099700927734)
Arrival: PTY (9.0713596344, -79.3834991455)
Route Type: International
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