CGH to SDU: which side of the plane should you sit on?
São Paulo (CGH) to Rio de Janeiro (SDU) is a 365 km (227 mi), roughly 0h 56m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime CGH to SDU departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Night |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Night |
| December solstice | Right | Left | Right |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route. The shade side is the better pick, and the view side never really takes over.
CGH to SDU is a short eastbound hop with most of the route split between city edges and approach views. The views do not pick a side here, so follow the shade advice.
Takeoff
After departure from CGH, depending on the runway in use, you can catch São Paulo and Guarulhos close in on the left, with Osasco farther out left soon after. Santo André and Santos sit off the right during the climb, and São Paulo can pass almost under you for a moment.
En route
- 7m in← LeftMogi das Cruzes · passes underneath
About 7 minutes in, Mogi das Cruzes sits very close on the left, briefly almost under the aircraft as you climb away.
- 36m in← LeftItatiaia National Park
Around 36 minutes in, Itatiaia National Park stays on the left during descent. It is a broader green block than a city shape, but views still do not favor one side overall.
Landing
On approach to SDU, depending on the runway in use, Rio de Janeiro comes up on the left, with Guanabara Bay left as well. Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain are on the right and can pass almost under you, so the final seconds are busy on both sides.
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 SDU?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on CGH to SDU flights?
For sunrise or sunset views, sit on the side the table marks as the sun side for your departure time — that is where the light is.
How long is the flight from CGH to SDU?
The great-circle distance is 365 km (227 mi), which works out to roughly 0h 56m in the air on this eastbound 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 should I sit on from CGH to SDU?
Choose the right side for shade. Views are mixed, so the shade call matters more than the scenery call.
What can I see after takeoff from CGH?
Soon after takeoff, you can see São Paulo and Guarulhos on the left, while Santo André and Santos are off the right during the climb.