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IAH → GRU
Which side of the plane to sit from George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston) to Guarulhos - Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport (Sao Paulo)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers the most diverse geographic views, ranging from the Panama Canal crossing to the vast Amazon canopy and the rolling hills of the Brazilian interior as you approach Sao Paulo.
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Panama Canal
Often visible as a thin blue line connecting the oceans during the transition from North to South America.
Northern Andes
Distant, jagged peaks of the Colombian and Ecuadorian mountain ranges visible on the western horizon.
Amazon Rainforest
A seemingly endless carpet of green broken only by the winding brown ribbons of the Amazon's tributaries.
The Cerrado
The transition from tropical rainforest to the vast Brazilian savannah and agricultural heartlands.
Serra da Mantiqueira
Beautiful lush mountain ranges that define the landscape just north of the Sao Paulo metropolitan area.
The right side is superior for geological diversity. As you descend into Brazil, you'll see the landscape transition from dense forest to organized agriculture. This side avoids the direct glare of the morning sun during arrival, making it easier to take clear photos of the ground. Look for the distinct 'oxbow lakes' in the Amazon basin approximately 6 hours into the flight. If the flight arrives early in the morning, the light on the right side is soft and perfect for seeing the rolling hills of Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo state.
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Gulf of Mexico
Expansive views of the deep blue waters and offshore oil rigs shortly after departing Houston.
Caribbean Fringe
Distal views of the Western Caribbean islands and reef systems depending on the specific airway.
Atlantic Sunrise
On overnight flights, this side provides a front-row seat to a spectacular sunrise over the Brazilian horizon.
Sao Paulo Urban Sprawl
Massive scale views of the concrete jungle and skyscrapers as the plane banks for its final approach.
The left side is the preferred choice for photography enthusiasts looking for sunrise colors. Since most IAH-GRU flights are red-eyes, you will be facing East during dawn. It is also typically better for seeing the city center of Sao Paulo during certain landing patterns (Runway 09/10). Keep your window shade down during the night to avoid bothering other passengers, but open it about 90 minutes before landing.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for BrazilDistance: 7,905 km (4,912 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 18 min
Departure: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Arrival: GRU (-23.435556411743164, -46.47305679321289)
Route Type: International
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