Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Auckland to Shanghai. While takeoff offers excellent views of Auckland's volcanic landscape and harbours on the right, the landing approach into Shanghai provides more dramatic and distinctive visual rewards on the left side—the Yangtze estuary, Hangzhou Bay, and Pudong's iconic skyline are more visually striking than Auckland's departure views. Left seats capture the approach's most memorable geography.

During takeoff from Auckland International (AKL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Auckland typically departs runway 03L/03R (northbound) or 21L/21R (southbound). Right-side seats on northbound departures offer immediate views of the Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island. On southbound departures, right seats show the Manukau Harbour and Waitakere Ranges to the west. Notable sights include: Rangitoto Island (extinct volcanic cone in Waitemata Harbour), Waitemata Harbour (inner harbour with visible shipping channels), Waitakere Ranges (forested ridge west of city), Auckland city grid (visible briefly before climb).

When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Approaching Shanghai typically uses runways 08L/08R (eastbound) or 26L/26R (westbound). Left-side seats on eastbound approaches show the Yangtze River estuary, Hangzhou Bay, and the Pudong skyline. On westbound approaches, left seats offer views of the Huangpu River and Pudong's distinctive high-rise cluster. Notable sights include: Yangtze River estuary (massive muddy delta with visible tidal patterns), Hangzhou Bay (broad water body south of estuary), Pudong financial district (dense cluster of supertall buildings including Oriental Pearl Tower), Huangpu River (snaking through Shanghai's urban core).

The flight from Auckland International (AKL) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Tasman Sea (no landmarks visible—open ocean for ~2 hours), then approaches the Coral Sea north of Australia. Around the midpoint (roughly 1.5 hours from Shanghai), the aircraft passes east of the Philippines, with Luzon occasionally visible on the left during clear conditions. The approach to Shanghai crosses the East China Sea, with the Yangtze estuary and Hangzhou Bay becoming visible approximately 30 minutes before landing. The entire oceanic crossing offers minimal visual interest except for occasional weather systems and rare glimpses of shipping traffic.