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JAL → MEX
Which side of the plane to sit from El Lencero Airport (Jalapa) to Licenciado Benito Juarez International Airport (Mexico City)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides an unparalleled view of Mexico's most iconic volcanoes, including the snow-capped Iztaccíhuatl and the active Popocatépetl, which dominate the southern horizon as you enter the Valley of Mexico.
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Pico de Orizaba
The highest mountain in Mexico and third highest in North America, visible shortly after departing the Jalapa area.
Iztaccíhuatl
The 'Sleeping Woman' volcano, featuring a dramatic multi-peaked ridge covered in snow and glaciers.
Popocatépetl
One of Mexico's most active volcanoes, frequently seen emitting plumes of smoke and ash next to Iztaccíhuatl.
Xochimilco
The historic canal systems and 'floating gardens' of southern Mexico City, visible during the final descent.
Morning flights are highly recommended to avoid the afternoon haze and cloud cover that often obscures the volcanoes. Keep your camera ready about 20 minutes into the flight as you cross the high mountain passes into the State of Mexico. The contrast between the volcanic peaks and the sprawling urban landscape below is most dramatic during the golden hour shortly after sunrise.
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Cofre de Perote
An extinct shield volcano located very close to Jalapa, recognizable by its unique box-like rock formation at the summit.
La Malinche
A prominent, solitary volcano rising from the high plateau of Tlaxcala, offering a rugged silhouette.
Teotihuacán
On specific northern arrival paths, the massive Sun and Moon pyramids may be visible in the distance to the north.
Lake Texcoco Basin
The expansive dry lake bed and the massive urban density of the northern and eastern fringes of the capital.
Watch out the window immediately after takeoff from El Lencero to see the Cofre de Perote looming over the landscape. If the plane circles from the north for its final approach into MEX, the right side offers the best view of the dense urban grid and the historic central areas. In winter months, the air is clearer, making it easier to spot the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacán far to the north.
Book Hotels in Mexico CityDistance: 239 km (149 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 24 min
Departure: JAL (19.4750995636, -96.7975006104)
Arrival: MEX (19.4363, -99.072098)
Route Type: Domestic
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