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MAN β BVC
Which side of the plane to sit from Manchester Airport (Manchester) to Rabil Airport (Boa Vista)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side of the aircraft typically offers a superior view of the European coastline including the rugged cliffs of Portugal and the potential for a spectacular approach past the northern Cape Verde islands like Sal before landing.
Snowdonia National Park
Glimpses of North Wales' highest peaks and the rugged Welsh coastline shortly after takeoff from Manchester.
Southwest English Coast
Aerial views of Devon and Cornwall's jagged peninsulas as the flight crosses the English Channel towards France.
Portuguese Silver Coast
Long stretches of sandy Atlantic beaches and coastal towns like NazarΓ©, famous for its record-breaking waves.
Lisbon and Tejo Estuary
The sprawling metropolitan area of Lisbon and the massive mouth of the Tagus River as you head south.
Moroccan Coastline
The transition from the lush Iberian peninsula to the arid, reddish landscapes of the Moroccan Western Sahara border.
Sal Island
A clear view of the neighboring island of Sal just before the final descent into Rabil Airport.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid direct glare from the sun. This side provides the best chance to see the transition from European greenery to the Sahara's golden hues. During the descent into Boa Vista, you'll often see the turquoise waters of the Atlantic contrasting with the volcanic terrain of the islands.
Irish Sea Vistas
Wide-angle views of the Irish Sea and the distant horizon where the sky meets the deep blue Atlantic.
Bay of Biscay
Opportunity to spot large cargo vessels and cruise ships navigating the busy shipping lanes between France and Spain.
Open Atlantic Sunsets
If flying south in the late afternoon, this side offers unobstructed, front-row seats to spectacular ocean sunsets.
Canary Islands Peaks
Depending on the specific flight corridor, you may spot the high volcanic peak of Mount Teide on Tenerife in the distance.
Boa Vista Sand Dunes
The iconic Viana Desert and the white sand dunes of Boa Vista as the plane banks for its final approach.
The right side is ideal for afternoon or evening flights if you want to witness a sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. While it features more 'blue' time, the final approach into BVC on this side often yields excellent views of the island's unique desert-meets-ocean landscape. Keep your camera ready as you drop below 5,000 feet for the best clarity of the sand dunes.
Distance: 4,511 km (2,803 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 5 hrs 18 min
Departure: MAN (53.35369873046875, -2.2749500274658203)
Arrival: BVC (16.136499404907227, -22.888900756835938)
Route Type: International
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