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HAV → UIO
Which side of the plane to sit from José Martí International Airport (Havana) to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito)?
Right Side of the Plane
While both sides provide views of the Caribbean and the Andes, the Right Side offers a more dramatic perspective of the Western Cordillera and the Pichincha volcano during the descent into Quito's high-altitude basin.
Gulf of Batabanó
Vibrant turquoise waters and shallow sandbanks south of the Cuban mainland.
Panama Coastline
Clear views of the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal if the flight path tracks slightly westward.
Esmeraldas Coast
The rugged Pacific coastline of northern Ecuador where the rainforest meets the ocean.
Pichincha Volcano
The active stratovolcano looming directly to the west of Quito as you land.
Avenue of Volcanoes
The stunning valley between the two Andean ranges, home to some of the world's highest active volcanoes.
The right side is the prime choice for the final 20 minutes of the flight. As you enter the 'Avenue of Volcanoes,' the Western Cordillera provides a stunning backdrop. For the best photography, choose a seat away from the wing. Note that the glare from the afternoon sun can be intense on this side during southbound flights, so morning departures are preferred.
Havana Cityscape
Aerial view of the Malecón and Old Havana immediately after takeoff from José Martí.
Zapata Peninsula
The largest wetland area in the Caribbean, visible as a vast green expanse on the southern coast of Cuba.
Darien Gap
The impenetrable and dense rainforest spanning the border between Panama and Colombia.
Central Cordillera
The high peaks of the Colombian Andes as the flight moves south toward the equator.
Cayambe Volcano
The massive snow-capped volcano that sits almost exactly on the equator line during final approach.
Sit on the left if you want to see the sunrise over the Atlantic/Caribbean on morning flights. This side is also excellent for spotting the dense, cloud-covered jungles of the Darien Gap and the eastern chain of the Andes. Morning flights are highly recommended as the Andean peaks are usually obscured by heavy cloud cover by midday.
Distance: 2,608 km (1,621 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 29 min
Departure: HAV (22.989200592041016, -82.40910339355469)
Arrival: UIO (-0.129166666667, -78.3575)
Route Type: International
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