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MEA destination photo
SDU destination photo

MEASDU

Which side of the plane to sit from Macaé Airport (Macaé) to Santos Dumont Airport (Rio De Janeiro)?

Our Recommendation
9.8

Right Side of the Plane

The right side offers an unparalleled view of the Brazilian coastline, the famous Lakes Region lagoons, and the iconic approach into Rio de Janeiro featuring the Sugarloaf Mountain.

Right Side Highlights
9.8
🏖️

Região dos Lagos

Stunning aerial views of the white sand beaches and turquoise waters of Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio.

💧

Araruama Lagoon

One of the largest hypersaline lagoons in the world, recognizable by its distinct shades of blue and green.

⛰️

Serra dos Órgãos

In the distance, the jagged peaks of the mountain range near Petrópolis can be seen rising above the clouds.

🌉

Rio-Niterói Bridge

A clear view of the 13km engineering marvel that connects the cities of Rio and Niterói across the bay.

🚠

Sugarloaf Mountain

A legendary close-up view of Pão de Açúcar as the plane maneuvers for the short runway at SDU.

The right side is essential for this route. Request a window seat away from the wing to capture the descent. The most dramatic views occur in the final 5 minutes of flight. Morning flights are ideal as the sun will be behind the aircraft, illuminating the coastline and mountains perfectly without glare.

Left Side Highlights
4.5
🌊

South Atlantic Ocean

Unobstructed views of the deep blue Atlantic and the distant horizon throughout the flight.

🚢

Offshore Support Vessels

Look for supply ships and tankers servicing the massive Campos Basin oil fields.

🏝️

Ilhas Cagarras

A small group of uninhabited islands visible just as the aircraft aligns for its final approach into Guanabara Bay.

While mostly ocean views, the left side provides a sense of the vastness of the Brazilian maritime territory. On very clear days, you may see the silhouette of distant oil platforms. Sit mid-cabin to avoid wing obstruction of the ocean horizon.

Top Activities in Rio De Janeiro
Route Information

Distance: 157 km (98 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 16 min

Departure: MEA (-22.343000412, -41.7659988403)

Arrival: SDU (-22.910499572800003, -43.1631011963)

Route Type: Domestic

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