The left side wins overall because the long cruise segment over Yunnan, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Himalayan foothills offers the flight's most dramatic terrain, visible on that side of the aircraft as the route curves north from Bangkok before heading over Central Asia and the Arctic.
Flown BKK to CLT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Bangkok to Charlotte is 9,057 miles (14,575 km), a flight of about 17 hours 30 minutes.
Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan foothills, Taklamakan Desert, Tian Shan and Ural mountain ranges, Siberian taiga, Arctic sea ice, Canadian tundra and Hudson Bay, Great Lakes, Appalachian ridges near the U.S. approach
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BKK
LEFTDeparting Suvarnabhumi northbound, the left side looks west over Bangkok's sprawling skyline and the Chao Phraya River delta as it winds toward the Gulf of Thailand. The right side mostly shows flat, hazy paddy fields with little definition.
Landing at CLT
RIGHTOn a typical south-flow approach into Charlotte, the aircraft descends southbound, putting the Blue Ridge foothills and rolling Piedmont terrain to the west, on the right side of the cabin. The left side faces flat eastern Piedmont farmland with no major landmarks.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Bangkok to Charlotte. The left side wins overall because the long cruise segment over Yunnan, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Himalayan foothills offers the flight's most dramatic terrain, visible on that side of the aircraft as the route curves north from Bangkok before heading over Central Asia and the Arctic.
What can I see during takeoff from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok?
During takeoff from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Suvarnabhumi northbound, the left side looks west over Bangkok's sprawling skyline and the Chao Phraya River delta as it winds toward the Gulf of Thailand. The right side mostly shows flat, hazy paddy fields with little definition. Notable sights include: Bangkok skyline, Chao Phraya River delta, Central Plain rice paddies.
What can I see when landing at Charlotte Douglas International in Charlotte?
When landing at Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), sit on the Right side for the best views. On a typical south-flow approach into Charlotte, the aircraft descends southbound, putting the Blue Ridge foothills and rolling Piedmont terrain to the west, on the right side of the cabin. The left side faces flat eastern Piedmont farmland with no major landmarks. Notable sights include: Blue Ridge Mountains foothills, Catawba River, Charlotte skyline, Piedmont rolling hills.
How long is the flight from Bangkok to Charlotte?
The flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) takes about 17 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 9,057 miles (14,575 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Bangkok to Charlotte flight path pass over?
Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan foothills, Taklamakan Desert, Tian Shan and Ural mountain ranges, Siberian taiga, Arctic sea ice, Canadian tundra and Hudson Bay, Great Lakes, Appalachian ridges near the U.S. approach