At Almaty in Alma-ata: for takeoff, sit on the Right side; for landing, sit on the Right side. Notable views include: Trans-Ili Alatau peaks (Big Almaty Lake visible on clear days at higher altitude), Turgen Gorge to the southeast, Lake Balkhash on the distant northern horizon during higher altitude cruise.

When taking off from Almaty (ALA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Almaty International Airport's primary runways (05L/23R and 05R/23L) typically depart toward the northeast or southwest. A right-side seat during northeast departures gives you immediate views of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range, which rises dramatically just 15–20 km south of the airport. This is the most striking geographic feature visible during climb-out. Notable sights include: Trans-Ili Alatau peaks (Big Almaty Lake visible on clear days at higher altitude), Turgen Gorge to the southeast, Lake Balkhash on the distant northern horizon during higher altitude cruise.

When landing at Almaty (ALA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Almaty International Airport's primary runways (05L/23R and 05R/23L) typically use eastbound approaches (landing heading ~050°), which means final approach comes from the west. The right side offers views of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range rising dramatically to the south and southeast, while the left side faces the flat steppe to the north and west. Notable sights include: Trans-Ili Alatau peaks (especially Big Almaty Lake area to the south), Turgen Gorge to the southeast, flat Kazakh steppe to the north, Almaty city sprawl to the west.

The best window seat at Almaty (ALA) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Alma-ata (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.