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HIR → VAO
Which side of the plane to sit from Honiara International Airport (Honiara) to Suavanao Airport (Suavanao)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the Florida Islands shortly after takeoff and the stunning turquoise barrier reefs of Santa Isabel Island during the approach to Suavanao.
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Iron Bottom Sound
The historic stretch of water between Guadalcanal and the Florida Islands, famous for the numerous WWII shipwrecks beneath the surface.
Florida Islands
Direct views of Tulagi and the Ngela group, featuring lush tropical vegetation and intricate coastlines.
Indispensable Strait
The deep blue waters separating the central and eastern Solomon Islands, often showing vibrant color gradients.
Santa Isabel Barrier Reefs
Spectacular aerial views of the extensive coral reef systems and shallow turquoise lagoons near Suavanao.
Suavanao Peninsula
The final descent offers a breathtaking perspective of the narrow strip of land and surrounding islets where the airport is located.
The right side is highly recommended for the approach into Suavanao, where the coral reef patterns are most visible. Wear polarized sunglasses to enhance the colors of the lagoons. On morning flights, the right side provides excellent lighting for the Florida Islands.
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Honiara Skyline
A clear view of the Solomon Islands capital and its coastal sprawl immediately after takeoff from Henderson Field.
Savo Island
A distant but distinct volcanic cone rising from the sea, known for its active geothermal areas and WWII history.
Santa Isabel Highlands
The rugged, densely forested interior mountain ranges of Santa Isabel as the plane flies parallel to the western coast.
Manning Strait
Expansive views of the open Solomon Sea looking west toward the distant islands of the Choiseul Province.
Sit on the left if you want to see the volcanic silhouette of Savo Island. Afternoon flights are better on this side to keep the sun behind you as you look toward the mountainous interior of Santa Isabel.
Get eSIMs for Solomon Islands
Get eSIMs for Solomon IslandsDistance: 251 km (156 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 25 min
Departure: HIR (-9.4280004501343, 160.05499267578)
Arrival: VAO (-7.585559844970702, 158.7310028076172)
Route Type: Domestic
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