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LSC → SCL
Which side of the plane to sit from La Florida Airport (La Serena) to Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Santiago)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a continuous, breathtaking panorama of the high Andes Mountains, offering views of massive peaks and glaciers that define the Chilean landscape.
High Andes Cordillera
Uninterrupted views of the massive mountain range, including snow-capped peaks that exceed 5,000 meters in altitude.
Elqui Valley Border
The southern edge of the Elqui province, characterized by sharp contrasts between arid mountains and green valley floors.
Mount Aconcagua
On clear days, the highest peak in the Americas is visible in the distance to the southeast during the mid-flight phase.
Illapel and Choapa Valleys
Aerial perspectives of the transverse valleys that run from the mountains toward the sea, often filled with agricultural life.
Santiago Basin Arrival
A dramatic entry into the Santiago valley with the city skyline framed perfectly against the foothills of the Andes.
Choose an afternoon flight for the best photographic lighting on the Andes. Avoid seats 10-20 to ensure your view of the mountain range isn't blocked by the wing. The descent into SCL from the north often passes very close to the mountains, making for incredible scale references.
Coquimbo Bay
Immediate views after takeoff of the 'La Herradura' bay and the 'Cruz del Tercer Milenio' monument in Coquimbo.
Pacific Coastline
The rugged Chilean coast where the Pacific Ocean meets the coastal range, featuring hidden beaches and dramatic cliffs.
Camanchaca Mist
Observe the unique coastal fog banks that roll in from the ocean, often getting trapped against the hillsides.
Coastal Cordillera
The lower, more rounded mountain range that runs parallel to the coast, showing the transition to the Mediterranean climate.
The right side is best for morning flights to avoid the glare of the sun reflecting off the sea. Keep a look out for the distinct line where the desert transitions into the greener central zone. If there is marine cloud cover (common in the morning), the view may be obscured until you head further inland.
Distance: 389 km (242 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 39 min
Departure: LSC (-29.916201, -71.199501)
Arrival: SCL (-33.393001556396484, -70.78579711914062)
Route Type: Domestic
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