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PHL destination photo
CUN destination photo

PHLCUN

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers superior views of the Atlantic coastline and a spectacular perspective of the Bahamian islands and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean during the descent into Cancun.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🌊

Mid-Atlantic Coastline

Aerial views of the Delaware and Maryland beaches shortly after departure from PHL.

🏝️

Outer Banks

The thin ribbon of North Carolina's barrier islands is often visible as the flight tracks south.

🇧🇸

The Bahamas

Vibrant turquoise waters and coral reefs of the Abaco Islands or Grand Bahama during the mid-flight cruise.

💎

Caribbean Sea

Stunning deep blues and bright cyans as the aircraft nears the Yucatan Channel.

🏨

Cancun Hotel Zone

Depending on the wind direction, the left side frequently offers a direct view of the '7' shaped hotel strip on final approach.

Book a window seat on the left for morning departures to catch the sunrise over the Atlantic, though be prepared for direct glare. Look out for the stark transition from deep ocean blue to shallow turquoise about 30-45 minutes before landing. This side is consistently better for spotting the iconic white-sand barrier islands of the Caribbean.

Right Side Highlights
7.2
🦀

Chesapeake Bay

Views of the massive estuary and the complex waterways of Virginia and Maryland early in the flight.

🚀

Florida Space Coast

Often provides distant views of Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center while flying over the Florida peninsula.

🐊

The Everglades

The vast, swampy expanse of South Florida's protected wetlands as the flight exits the US mainland.

🚤

Gulf of Mexico

A long stretch of deep blue water as the flight crosses from Florida toward the Yucatan.

🌳

Yucatan Jungle

A view of the dense, green tropical canopy of the Mexican mainland during the final descent.

The right side is best for afternoon flights to avoid the harsh tropical sun. It offers the best land-based views of the US East Coast and the Florida peninsula. Upon landing in Cancun, this side provides a view of the dense jungle and the sprawling inland developments, often including a view of the airport's secondary runways and cargo areas.

Top Activities in Cancun
Route Information

Distance: 2,368 km (1,471 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 9 min

Departure: PHL (39.87189865112305, -75.24109649658203)

Arrival: CUN (21.036500930800003, -86.8770980835)

Route Type: International

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