The right side offers the more varied and recognizable scenery across the whole flight: Amsterdam and the IJsselmeer at departure, glimpses of the Gobi Desert's dune fields and the Mongolian Altai foothills during cruise, and a clear view of Shanghai's skyline on arrival. The left side spends more time over the flatter Siberian taiga and open water near each airport, with fewer standout landmarks.
Flight Path
Ural Mountains marking the Europe-Asia boundary, the wide Ob River and Siberian taiga, the Mongolian steppe and Gobi Desert's dune fields, and the Altai Mountains' distant peaks before descending into the North China Plain
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
RIGHTEastbound departures off Schiphol's Polderbaan typically bank right onto their easterly heading, putting Amsterdam's city center and the vast IJsselmeer lake into view on the right side before the aircraft settles onto its long overland track. The left side mostly shows featureless polder farmland and the North Sea haze.
Landing at PVG
RIGHTOn the typical north-to-south approach into Pudong, the aircraft descends with Shanghai's skyline and the Huangpu River off to the right, giving a clear look at the Pudong towers before the plane lines up over flat delta farmland for landing. The left side mostly faces open, hazy Hangzhou Bay.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Shanghai. The right side offers the more varied and recognizable scenery across the whole flight: Amsterdam and the IJsselmeer at departure, glimpses of the Gobi Desert's dune fields and the Mongolian Altai foothills during cruise, and a clear view of Shanghai's skyline on arrival. The left side spends more time over the flatter Siberian taiga and open water near each airport, with fewer standout landmarks.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Eastbound departures off Schiphol's Polderbaan typically bank right onto their easterly heading, putting Amsterdam's city center and the vast IJsselmeer lake into view on the right side before the aircraft settles onto its long overland track. The left side mostly shows featureless polder farmland and the North Sea haze. Notable sights include: Amsterdam city center, IJsselmeer lake, Dutch polder farmland, North Sea coastline.
What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the typical north-to-south approach into Pudong, the aircraft descends with Shanghai's skyline and the Huangpu River off to the right, giving a clear look at the Pudong towers before the plane lines up over flat delta farmland for landing. The left side mostly faces open, hazy Hangzhou Bay. Notable sights include: Shanghai Pudong skyline (Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower), Huangpu River, Yangtze River Delta farmland, Hangzhou Bay in the distance.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Shanghai?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes 10h 45m.
What does the Amsterdam to Shanghai flight path pass over?
Ural Mountains marking the Europe-Asia boundary, the wide Ob River and Siberian taiga, the Mongolian steppe and Gobi Desert's dune fields, and the Altai Mountains' distant peaks before descending into the North China Plain