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SDU → RAO
Which side of the plane to sit from Santos Dumont Airport (Rio De Janeiro) to Leite Lopes Airport (Ribeirao Preto)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers an iconic departure sequence from Santos Dumont, featuring world-famous views of the Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer before transitioning into the lush Serra do Mar mountains.
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Sugarloaf Mountain
Unobstructed views of the Pão de Açúcar granite monolith immediately after takeoff.
Christ the Redeemer
The Corcovado mountain and the iconic statue are often visible as the plane banks west.
Rio South Zone Beaches
Aerial perspective of Flamengo, Botafogo, and the start of Copacabana's coastline.
Serra da Mantiqueira
Expansive views of the high-altitude tropical mountain range during the mid-flight cruise.
Book a window seat on the left for the morning flights (07:00-10:00) to get the best sun position on the Christ the Redeemer statue. Keep your camera ready from the moment the wheels leave the tarmac, as the most scenic turn happens within the first three minutes of flight.
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Rio-Niterói Bridge
A full view of the 13km bridge stretching across the Guanabara Bay.
Niterói Skyline
Views of the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum (MAC) and the city's waterfront.
Pico das Agulhas Negras
On clear days, the jagged peaks of Itatiaia National Park appear on the northern horizon.
Sugarcane Plateau
The transition into the vast, geometric agricultural landscapes of the São Paulo interior.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to avoid direct glare while looking toward the northern horizon. Watch for the change in soil color to deep red (Terra Roxa) as you approach Ribeirão Preto, which is particularly striking when the sun is low.
Book Hotels in Ribeirao PretoDistance: 515 km (320 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 52 min
Departure: SDU (-22.910499572800003, -43.1631011963)
Arrival: RAO (-21.136388778686523, -47.77666854858398)
Route Type: Domestic
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