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MEX → TAM
Which side of the plane to sit from Licenciado Benito Juarez International Airport (Mexico City) to General Francisco Javier Mina International Airport (Tampico)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a spectacular view of Mexico's most iconic volcanoes and the dramatic descent from the high plateau through the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains toward the Gulf coast.
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Popocatépetl & Iztaccíhuatl
Incredible views of the twin snow-capped volcanoes immediately after takeoff from MEX.
Pico de Orizaba
On clear days, Mexico's highest peak is visible in the distance to the southeast.
Sierra Madre Oriental
Deep canyons and verdant, cloud-covered ridges as the plane crosses the mountain range.
Laguna del Chairel
The sprawling freshwater lagoon system that surrounds the city of Tampico.
Pánuco River
The winding path of the massive river that marks the border between Veracruz and Tamaulipas.
Sit on the right for the most dramatic scenery. Morning flights (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM) offer the best illumination of the volcanoes without the afternoon haze. Keep your camera ready shortly after takeoff as the plane often turns east, placing the volcanoes directly in view. During descent, look for the sharp drop-off of the 'Eje Neovolcánico' into the tropical coastal plains.
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Northern Mexico City
Bird's-eye view of the massive urban expansion and the hills of the northern Valley of Mexico.
Hidalgo Highlands
The semi-arid landscape and rugged terrain of the Mezquital Valley region.
Altamira Port
Large industrial complexes and shipping infrastructure near the northern approach to Tampico.
The left side is preferable for evening flights as it avoids the harsh direct glare of the setting sun. While less mountainous, it provides a better perspective of the vastness of the Mexico City metropolitan area during the initial climb. Watch for the change in vegetation from arid high-altitude brush to lush tropical greenery as you descend.
Get eSIMs for Mexico
Get eSIMs for MexicoDistance: 342 km (213 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 34 min
Departure: MEX (19.4363, -99.072098)
Arrival: TAM (22.2964000702, -97.8658981323)
Route Type: Domestic
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