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KIN → PTY
Which side of the plane to sit from Norman Manley International Airport (Kingston) to Tocumen International Airport (Panama City)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most iconic views of the Panama City skyline and the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal during the final descent and approach into Tocumen.
Kingston Harbour
Aerial view of the world's seventh-largest natural harbour and the narrow Palisadoes spit immediately after takeoff.
San Blas Islands
Hundreds of tiny, white-sand coral islands belonging to the Guna Yala territory as you approach the Panamanian coast.
Panama City Skyline
A spectacular view of the 'Miami of Central America' with its dense cluster of skyscrapers along the Avenida Balboa.
Pacific Canal Entrance
Dozens of massive cargo ships anchored in the Bay of Panama waiting to transit the canal's southern locks.
Sit on the left for the best view of the Panama City skyline during the standard approach. On afternoon flights, the sun will be behind you or to the right, providing better lighting for photography. Try to grab a window seat away from the wing for an unobstructed view of the San Blas archipelago.
Caribbean Sea
Deep azure waters during the mid-flight cruise, occasionally spotting remote reefs and sandbars.
Colon & Gatun Locks
The Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, featuring the massive Gatun and Agua Clara lock systems from a distance.
Chagres National Park
Dense, mountainous tropical rainforests that act as the primary watershed for the entire Panama Canal system.
Bridge of the Americas
The iconic bridge spanning the Pacific entrance of the canal, often visible during the final banking turns.
The right side is excellent for viewing the engineering works of the Atlantic locks (Colon area) as the plane crosses the Isthmus. For morning flights, this side will be shaded, which is better for visibility. Look out for the dense rainforest canopy as you descend over the interior of Panama.
Distance: 1,025 km (637 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 22 min
Departure: KIN (17.935699462890625, -76.7874984741211)
Arrival: PTY (9.0713596344, -79.3834991455)
Route Type: International
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