MTY to MEX: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Monterrey (MTY) to Mexico City (MEX) is a 713 km (443 mi), roughly 1h 20m southbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime MTY to MEX 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 | Left | Right | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Right | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Left | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this one. The route is basically neutral on landmarks, so the better seat is the left side for shade.
MTY to MEX is a shade-first route. Views do not pick a side, so follow the left side for the stronger sun break. You still get a few clear landmarks on the right on climb and cruise, then the final approach turns into a close-up of the valley edge.
Takeoff
On departure from MTY, depending on the runway in use, you may see Monterrey off the right side almost right away. A few minutes later, the Sierra Madre Oriental sits to the right as you climb, with Saltillo also appearing on the right. It is a quick climb, so these views pass fast.
En route
- 43m inRight →San Luis Potosí
About 40 minutes in, San Luis Potosí comes into view on the right. You see a city shape rather than a long skyline, so it reads more as a patch of built-up land below than a full city panorama.
Landing
On descent into MEX, depending on the runway in use, the main scenery comes in low and close. Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl sit off the left, while Toluca de Lerdo and Mexico City are on the right. Mexico City is nearly under you near the end, so that side gets the clearest near-field look. Lake Texcoco also comes up very close on the left, but only briefly.
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 MTY to MEX?
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 MTY to MEX flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the right side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from MTY to MEX?
The great-circle distance is 713 km (443 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 20m in the air on this southbound 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 for MTY to MEX?
Choose the left side for shade. This route is views-neutral, so the sun matters more than the scenery choice.
What will I see on the Monterrey to Mexico City flight?
Early on, Monterrey, the Sierra Madre Oriental, and Saltillo are on the right. Later, San Luis Potosí is also on the right, and the approach brings Popocatépetl, Iztaccíhuatl, Toluca de Lerdo, Mexico City, and Lake Texcoco into view.