Left side wins both the departure over the Ethiopian Highlands and the arrival into Zurich with Lake Zurich and Alpine views. During the cruise, the left side also faces west over Sudan and Egypt, giving better views of the Nile Valley and the Eastern Mediterranean coastline as the route tracks north.
Flight Path
The route tracks north-northwest over the Ethiopian Highlands, then crosses Sudan and the Sahara Desert with the Nile Valley visible below near Khartoum and again near Luxor in Egypt. The Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek islands are crossed before entering Central Europe over the Balkans and the Alps approaching Switzerland.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from ADD
LEFTBole International typically departs on runway 07R heading northeast, which puts the left (north) side facing the Entoto Hills and the broader Addis Ababa city sprawl. As the aircraft turns northward toward Europe, the left side picks up the Ethiopian Highlands and the dramatic escarpments of the Rift Valley system.
Landing at ZRH
LEFTZurich typically lands on runway 14 or 28 depending on wind; on the common runway 14 approach from the north, the left side faces west toward the city of Zurich, Lake Zurich, and the Alps on the southern horizon. This gives a sweeping view of the lake and the Alpine chain including the Glarus Alps and, on clear days, the Bernese Oberland peaks.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Bole International (ADD) to Zurich (ZRH)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Addis Ababa to Zurich. Left side wins both the departure over the Ethiopian Highlands and the arrival into Zurich with Lake Zurich and Alpine views. During the cruise, the left side also faces west over Sudan and Egypt, giving better views of the Nile Valley and the Eastern Mediterranean coastline as the route tracks north.
What can I see during takeoff from Bole International in Addis Ababa?
During takeoff from Bole International (ADD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Bole International typically departs on runway 07R heading northeast, which puts the left (north) side facing the Entoto Hills and the broader Addis Ababa city sprawl. As the aircraft turns northward toward Europe, the left side picks up the Ethiopian Highlands and the dramatic escarpments of the Rift Valley system. Notable sights include: Entoto Hills north of Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Highlands plateau, the beginnings of the Great Rift Valley escarpment to the west, Lake Bishoftu (Debre Zeit) crater lakes to the southeast briefly visible on climb-out.
What can I see when landing at Zurich in Zurich?
When landing at Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Zurich typically lands on runway 14 or 28 depending on wind; on the common runway 14 approach from the north, the left side faces west toward the city of Zurich, Lake Zurich, and the Alps on the southern horizon. This gives a sweeping view of the lake and the Alpine chain including the Glarus Alps and, on clear days, the Bernese Oberland peaks. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich, the city of Zurich and its old town peninsula, the Glarus Alps to the southeast, the Bernese Oberland peaks (Jungfrau massif) visible on the far southern horizon on clear days.
How long is the flight from Addis Ababa to Zurich?
The flight from Bole International (ADD) to Zurich (ZRH) takes Approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours.
What does the Addis Ababa to Zurich flight path pass over?
The route tracks north-northwest over the Ethiopian Highlands, then crosses Sudan and the Sahara Desert with the Nile Valley visible below near Khartoum and again near Luxor in Egypt. The Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek islands are crossed before entering Central Europe over the Balkans and the Alps approaching Switzerland.