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PTY → BSB
Which side of the plane to sit from Tocumen International Airport (Panama City) to Presidente Juscelino Kubistschek International Airport (Brasilia)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side (Port) is slightly superior for this trans-equatorial journey as it provides the most iconic view of Brasilia's 'Airplane' urban layout upon arrival and better perspectives of the Colombian Andes.
Darien Gap
View the impenetrable, roadless jungle that forms the only break in the Pan-American Highway between the two continents.
Colombian Cordillera
The flight crosses the northern ridges of the Andes, offering views of high-altitude valleys and misty peaks.
Amazon Heartland
Hours of flight over the world's largest rainforest, showing the sheer scale of the Earth's 'lungs'.
Plano Piloto
During the descent into BSB, the left side typically offers the best view of the city's unique airplane-shaped architecture.
Lake Paranoá
A massive man-made lake that defines the eastern border of Brazil's capital city.
Request a seat forward of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the Andes and the Brasilia urban plan. On the approach to BSB, the pilot often circles from the north, placing the iconic government buildings and the 'axis' of the city directly in view of the left windows. Afternoon flights offer the best lighting on this side without the direct glare of the sun.
Pearl Islands
Shortly after takeoff from PTY, look for the stunning turquoise waters of the Archipiélago de las Perlas in the Gulf of Panama.
Pacific Coastline
Parallel views of the rugged and remote Chocó region of Colombia, one of the wettest places on Earth.
River Meanders
Spectacular views of the Japurá and Purus rivers as they snake through the dense jungle in massive oxbow loops.
Amazonian Sunset
On late afternoon flights, this side provides a front-row seat to spectacular sunsets over the jungle canopy.
Mané Garrincha Stadium
Look for the massive circular structure of the national stadium as the plane lines up with the runway.
The right side is excellent for early flight photography of the Panamanian islands. However, be aware that on southbound flights during the day, the sun will be on the right side for the duration of the trip, which can make the cabin hot and cause significant glare on the windows. Keep your window shade partially down during the mid-flight Amazon crossing to protect your eyes.
Distance: 4,437 km (2,757 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 5 hrs 13 min
Departure: PTY (9.0713596344, -79.3834991455)
Arrival: BSB (-15.86916732788086, -47.92083358764648)
Route Type: International
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