The right side tracks the western landmass throughout the flight — Abu Dhabi's coastline at departure, the Yemeni and Ethiopian highlands during cruise, and Zanzibar's Stone Town on arrival — while the left side faces largely featureless expanses of the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
Flown AUH to ZNZ? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Abu Dhabi to Zanzibar is 2,359 miles (3,797 km), a flight of about 5 hours 15 minutes.
Cruise path crosses the southern Arabian Peninsula near Yemen's mountainous interior, then the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa near the Ethiopia-Somalia border before tracking down the East African coast toward Kenya and Tanzania.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from AUH
RIGHTDeparting AUH, the right-side windows catch the Abu Dhabi corniche, the man-made islands (Saadiyat, Yas) and the turquoise shallows of the Arabian Gulf as the aircraft climbs and turns south. The left side mostly shows flat desert scrubland with little definition.
Landing at ZNZ
RIGHTOn approach into Zanzibar, the western side of the island holds Stone Town's coral-stone rooftops and the harbor, with visible coral reefs and sandbanks in the shallow turquoise water. The left side over the open Indian Ocean offers little but deep blue water.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Abu Dhabi International (AUH) to Zanzibar (ZNZ)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Abu Dhabi to Zanzibar. The right side tracks the western landmass throughout the flight — Abu Dhabi's coastline at departure, the Yemeni and Ethiopian highlands during cruise, and Zanzibar's Stone Town on arrival — while the left side faces largely featureless expanses of the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
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, the right-side windows catch the Abu Dhabi corniche, the man-made islands (Saadiyat, Yas) and the turquoise shallows of the Arabian Gulf as the aircraft climbs and turns south. The left side mostly shows flat desert scrubland with little definition. Notable sights include: Abu Dhabi skyline, Yas and Saadiyat Islands, Arabian Gulf coastline, offshore sandbars.
What can I see when landing at Zanzibar in Zanzibar?
When landing at Zanzibar (ZNZ), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Zanzibar, the western side of the island holds Stone Town's coral-stone rooftops and the harbor, with visible coral reefs and sandbanks in the shallow turquoise water. The left side over the open Indian Ocean offers little but deep blue water. Notable sights include: Stone Town waterfront, Zanzibar harbor, coral reef patches, turquoise lagoon shallows.
How long is the flight from Abu Dhabi to Zanzibar?
The flight from Abu Dhabi International (AUH) to Zanzibar (ZNZ) takes about 5 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,359 miles (3,797 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Abu Dhabi to Zanzibar flight path pass over?
Cruise path crosses the southern Arabian Peninsula near Yemen's mountainous interior, then the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa near the Ethiopia-Somalia border before tracking down the East African coast toward Kenya and Tanzania.