SDU to CGH: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Rio de Janeiro (SDU) to São Paulo (CGH) is a 365 km (227 mi), roughly 0h 56m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime SDU to CGH 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 | Right | Right |
| June solstice | Right | Right | Night |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Night |
| December solstice | Left | Right | Left |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are neutral here, so pick the left side for the better light.
You fly west with the shade on the left. Views do not decide this route, so follow the shade side.
Takeoff
After takeoff from SDU, depending on the runway in use, you get a quick city-and-water start. Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain sit briefly off the left, while Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay show on the right as you climb away.
En route
- 20m inRight →Itatiaia National Park
About 20 minutes in, Itatiaia National Park is off the right. It reads as a broad green block at distance, not a close-up detail shot.
- 49m inRight →Mogi das Cruzes · passes underneath
Near the end of the flight, Mogi das Cruzes passes very close on the right. It comes up fast and steep, then slips away just as quickly.
Landing
On approach to CGH, depending on the runway in use, the city stack comes in close. São Paulo and Guarulhos are on the right, with Santo André on the left and Osasco also on the right.
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 SDU to CGH?
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 SDU to CGH 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 SDU to CGH?
The great-circle distance is 365 km (227 mi), which works out to roughly 0h 56m in the air on this westbound 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 SDU to CGH?
The left side is the shade side on this westbound flight, and views do not favor one side overall.
Will I see anything on this route?
Yes, but it is a short route. You get a quick Rio departure, a distant pass by Itatiaia National Park, and a close-in city approach near São Paulo.