Abu Dhabi to Beijing flight pathAUHPEK

Sit on the right side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time7h 35m
Distance3,701
Heading057° → 093°
Best side
RightMostly right
★ 2.5 left·★ 4.0 right

The right side captures the most dramatic terrain of the route — the Zagros Mountains over Iran, the Kopet Dag along the Iran-Turkmenistan border, and glimpses of the Pamir and Tian Shan ranges — while the left side spends most of cruise over flat Central Asian steppe and the Gobi Desert with little variation.

Takeoff · AUHRIGHTAbu Dhabi corniche and skyline, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island
Landing · PEKLEFTWestern Hills, Beijing's northern mountain foothills, Yongding River plain

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Zagros Mountains, Kopet Dag range, Karakum Desert, Pamir and Tian Shan foothills, Gobi Desert, Mongolian Plateau

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Abu Dhabi (right side) — Abu Dhabi corniche and skyline, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Persian Gulf coastline

Takeoff from AUH

RIGHT

Departing AUH toward the southeast on runway 13, the right side offers views of Abu Dhabi's coastal skyline, the turquoise shallows around Saadiyat and Yas islands, and the Persian Gulf coastline before the aircraft turns northeast over the desert.

Abu Dhabi corniche and skylineSaadiyat IslandYas IslandPersian Gulf coastline
Aerial window seat view during landing at Beijing (left side) — Western Hills (Xishan), Beijing's northern mountain foothills, Yongding River plain, Beijing's outer suburbs

Landing at PEK

LEFT

On approach into PEK from the southwest, the left side reveals the forested Western Hills (Xishan) and the edge of the mountains that ring Beijing's plain, giving a sense of relief before the flat urban sprawl of the capital comes into view.

Western HillsBeijing's northern mountain foothillsYongding River plainBeijing's outer suburbs

Will your flight be in sunlight?

See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.

About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Abu Dhabi International (AUH) to Capital (PEK)?

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Abu Dhabi to Beijing. The right side captures the most dramatic terrain of the route — the Zagros Mountains over Iran, the Kopet Dag along the Iran-Turkmenistan border, and glimpses of the Pamir and Tian Shan ranges — while the left side spends most of cruise over flat Central Asian steppe and the Gobi Desert with little variation.

What can I see during takeoff from Abu Dhabi International in Abu Dhabi?

During takeoff from Abu Dhabi International (AUH), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing AUH toward the southeast on runway 13, the right side offers views of Abu Dhabi's coastal skyline, the turquoise shallows around Saadiyat and Yas islands, and the Persian Gulf coastline before the aircraft turns northeast over the desert. Notable sights include: Abu Dhabi corniche and skyline, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Persian Gulf coastline.

What can I see when landing at Capital in Beijing?

When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into PEK from the southwest, the left side reveals the forested Western Hills (Xishan) and the edge of the mountains that ring Beijing's plain, giving a sense of relief before the flat urban sprawl of the capital comes into view. Notable sights include: Western Hills (Xishan), Beijing's northern mountain foothills, Yongding River plain, Beijing's outer suburbs.

How long is the flight from Abu Dhabi to Beijing?

The flight from Abu Dhabi International (AUH) to Capital (PEK) takes 7h 35m.

What does the Abu Dhabi to Beijing flight path pass over?

Zagros Mountains, Kopet Dag range, Karakum Desert, Pamir and Tian Shan foothills, Gobi Desert, Mongolian Plateau