At Bandaranaike International in Colombo: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Colombo Harbor and port facilities, Indian Ocean coastline, Negombo Lagoon (north), Kelani River delta.

When taking off from Bandaranaike International (CMB), sit on the Left side for the best views. CMB's primary runway (04/22) typically uses the 04 heading for departures toward the northwest. Banking left during climb-out gives you views of the Colombo coastline, the Indian Ocean, and the city sprawl. The right side faces inland toward relatively flat terrain with fewer distinctive features. Notable sights include: Colombo Harbor and port facilities, Indian Ocean coastline, Negombo Lagoon (north), Kelani River delta.

When landing at Bandaranaike International (CMB), sit on the Left side for the best views. CMB's primary runway (04/22) typically uses runway 04 for landing when winds permit, which means approaching from the southwest. The left side offers views of the Indian Ocean coastline, Negombo Lagoon, and the western approaches to the airport. The right side faces inland terrain with less distinctive visual reference. Notable sights include: Indian Ocean (immediate left), Negombo Lagoon (north of approach path), Colombo harbor and port facilities (southeast), coastal wetlands and lagoon systems.

The best window seat at Bandaranaike International (CMB) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Colombo (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.