CGH to BSB: which side of the plane should you sit on?
São Paulo (CGH) to Brasília (BSB) is a 873 km (542 mi), roughly 1h 32m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime CGH to BSB departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Night |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Night |
| December solstice | Right | Left | Left |
What you’ll see on this flight
The left side wins on both views and shade.
Sit on the left for both the views and the shade. You get the stronger window and less glare on this northbound trip from CGH to BSB.
Takeoff
After takeoff from CGH, depending on the runway in use, the first close-in views split fast. Osasco can pass almost under you on the left, so it flashes by steeply. Sorocaba also sits on the left a few minutes in. On the right, Guarulhos, Santos, and Mogi das Cruzes stay off to that side as you climb.
En route
- 9m in← LeftCampinas
About nine minutes in, Campinas appears on the left as a broad city shape, with the built-up area spread low and wide.
- 11m in← LeftAmericana
A couple of minutes later, Americana is also left side view, smaller and more compact than Campinas.
- 30m in← LeftRibeirão Preto
Roughly half an hour in, Ribeirão Preto comes up on the left. It is a city-sized patchwork from cruise height, not a close pass.
Landing
As you descend toward BSB, depending on the runway in use, Brasília comes in on the right and nearly under the aircraft at the end. The view is brief and steep, then it is wheels-down.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from CGH to BSB?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on CGH to BSB flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from CGH to BSB?
The great-circle distance is 873 km (542 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 32m in the air on this northbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side of the plane should I sit on for CGH to BSB?
Sit on the left. That side gets the better views and the shade on this route.
What will I see after takeoff from CGH?
Very early on, Osasco can pass almost under the left side. Sorocaba is also on the left, while Guarulhos, Santos, and Mogi das Cruzes sit on the right.