Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Jakarta to Shanghai. While left offers excellent takeoff views of Jakarta Bay and the Thousand Islands, right seats provide superior landing views of the Yangtze delta, Hangzhou Bay, and Pudong's iconic skyline—the more visually distinctive finale to the journey.

During takeoff from Soekarno Hatta International (CGK), sit on the Left side for the best views. CGK typically departs runway 25L or 25R (westbound). Left seats face north during initial climb, giving direct views of Jakarta Bay and the Thousand Islands archipelago as the aircraft banks northeast toward the flight path to Shanghai. Notable sights include: Jakarta Bay (immediate foreground), Thousand Islands chain stretching northeast, northern Jakarta urban sprawl, Java Sea extending to horizon.

When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. PVG typically lands runway 34L or 34R (northeast approach). Right seats face southeast during descent, providing views of the Yangtze River estuary, Hangzhou Bay, and the distinctive Pudong skyline with its characteristic tower clusters before final approach. Notable sights include: Hangzhou Bay (broad water body to the south), Yangtze River estuary and delta channels, Pudong financial district skyline, East China Sea coastline.

The flight from Soekarno Hatta International (CGK) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 5 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 45 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Java Sea northwestward, then transitions over the South China Sea. Notable features include the Natuna Islands (visible from altitude as a small cluster around 4°N 108°E), the transition from tropical waters to the continental shelf approaching China, and the Yangtze River plume visible from altitude as a distinctive brown discoloration in the East China Sea as the aircraft descends toward Shanghai.