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GIG → REC
Which side of the plane to sit from Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (Rio De Janeiro) to Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport (Recife)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft offers an unparalleled continuous view of the Brazilian coastline, featuring iconic bays, emerald-green natural pools, and the massive Atlantic horizon as you fly north-northeast.
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Guanabara Bay
Immediate views after takeoff of Rio's famous bay, the Rio-Niterói bridge, and the surrounding granite peaks.
Região dos Lagos
The brilliant turquoise waters and white sands of Arraial do Cabo and Búzios early in the flight.
Abrolhos Bank
The shallow, coral-rich waters off the southern coast of Bahia, known as a major sanctuary for humpback whales.
Discovery Coast
The red cliffs and palm-lined beaches of Porto Seguro and Trancoso, where the Portuguese first arrived.
Maceió Natural Pools
The stunning emerald-green barrier reefs and natural pools clearly visible off the coast of Alagoas.
Boa Viagem Beach
A spectacular low-altitude view of Recife's iconic skyscraper-lined beachfront and reef barriers just before touchdown.
This is the premier side for this route. For the best photography, choose a morning flight when the sun illuminates the coastline from the east. Ensure you have a window seat away from the wing to fully appreciate the coral reefs in Alagoas and Pernambuco, which are most vibrant between 10 AM and 2 PM.
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Serra do Mar
Dramatic views of the lush, green mountain ranges bordering the state of Rio de Janeiro shortly after takeoff.
Inland Vitória
A view of the mountainous backdrop and urban sprawl of the Espírito Santo state capital.
The Sertão Transition
Observation of the landscape changing from coastal greenery to the semi-arid vegetation of the Brazilian Northeast interior.
Historic Olinda
The colorful colonial architecture and churches of the historic city of Olinda visible on the final approach to Recife.
Sit on this side for sunset flights to witness the sky change colors over the Brazilian hinterland. It is also better for avoiding direct sunlight during morning departures as the plane heads North-Northeast. Watch for the 'Pico da Bandeira' in the distance when passing near the border of Minas Gerais.
Get eSIMs for Brazil
Get eSIMs for BrazilDistance: 1,859 km (1,155 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 29 min
Departure: GIG (-22.8099994659, -43.2505569458)
Arrival: REC (-8.126489639282228, -34.923599243164055)
Route Type: Domestic
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