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MDE → PTY
Which side of the plane to sit from Jose Maria Córdova International Airport (Rio Negro) to Tocumen International Airport (Panama City)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft offers a more iconic sequence of views, including the turquoise San Blas archipelago and the dramatic Panama City skyline upon descent into Tocumen.
Gulf of Urabá
See the deep blue waters of the gulf where the Pan-American Highway currently ends at the Darién Gap.
San Blas Archipelago
A breathtaking view of the 365 coral islands of Guna Yala surrounded by bright turquoise Caribbean waters.
Panama City Skyline
Get a front-row seat to the 'Miami of the South' with its dense cluster of modern skyscrapers along the coast.
Panama Canal Anchorage
Spot dozens of massive cargo ships and tankers anchored in the bay, queued up for their turn to enter the locks.
Darién Wilderness
Gaze down at the impenetrable green mass of the Darién Gap, the only break in the Pan-American Highway.
Sit on the right side for morning flights to keep the sun behind you. The highlight of the trip is the San Blas Islands, visible about 20 minutes before landing. During the dry season (December to April), the skies are usually clearest for photography.
Western Andes Peaks
View the rugged, cloud-shrouded peaks of the Cordillera Occidental shortly after departure from Rio Negro.
Chocó Rainforest
Fly over the dense, verdant canopy of one of the world's most biodiverse and rainiest jungle regions.
Atrato River Delta
Observe the complex network of wetlands and river branches where the Atrato meets the Caribbean Sea.
Bridge of the Americas
On the final approach, look for the iconic bridge spanning the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal.
Choose the left side for sunset flights to catch the golden light reflecting off the Pacific coast. It is also the best side for seeing the heavy engineering of the Canal's Pacific entrance if the flight path approaches from the south.
Distance: 543 km (337 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 54 min
Departure: MDE (6.164540000000001, -75.4231)
Arrival: PTY (9.0713596344, -79.3834991455)
Route Type: International
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