While landing views favor the left, the takeoff experience from Colombo is more visually distinctive—the Sri Lankan coastline, highlands, and harbor provide more varied scenery than the open ocean approach. Right-side seats capture the more memorable departure.
Flown CMB to SHA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Colombo to Shanghai is 3,144 miles (5,060 km), a flight of about 5 hours.
The flight path crosses the Bay of Bengal heading northwest, passing over open water for most of the journey. Around the midpoint, the aircraft will be over the central Bay of Bengal with no major visible landmarks—just open ocean. As the flight approaches the Chinese coast (roughly 1.5 hours before landing), the Andaman Sea transitions to the South China Sea, and eventually the Yangtze River estuary and Chinese coastline become visible on descent. The flight does not pass over major inland mountain ranges or distinctive geographic features during the cruise phase.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CMB
RIGHTRight-side seats offer views of the southwestern Indian Ocean coastline as the aircraft climbs out from Colombo, plus the central highlands of Sri Lanka receding inland. Left side faces the open ocean with minimal landmarks.
Landing at SHA
LEFTLeft-side seats provide excellent views during descent into Shanghai, including the Yangtze River estuary, Hangzhou Bay, and the East China Sea coastline. The approach path from the southwest brings these features into clear view on the left side.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Bandaranaike International (CMB) to Hongqiao International (SHA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Colombo to Shanghai. While landing views favor the left, the takeoff experience from Colombo is more visually distinctive—the Sri Lankan coastline, highlands, and harbor provide more varied scenery than the open ocean approach. Right-side seats capture the more memorable departure.
What can I see during takeoff from Bandaranaike International in Colombo?
During takeoff from Bandaranaike International (CMB), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the southwestern Indian Ocean coastline as the aircraft climbs out from Colombo, plus the central highlands of Sri Lanka receding inland. Left side faces the open ocean with minimal landmarks. Notable sights include: Colombo city and harbor (directly below during initial climb), southwestern Sri Lankan coastline, central highlands ridge visible inland to the east, Kelani River delta.
What can I see when landing at Hongqiao International in Shanghai?
When landing at Hongqiao International (SHA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views during descent into Shanghai, including the Yangtze River estuary, Hangzhou Bay, and the East China Sea coastline. The approach path from the southwest brings these features into clear view on the left side. Notable sights include: Yangtze River estuary with its distinctive sediment plume, Hangzhou Bay with its tidal mudflats, East China Sea coastline, Shanghai Pudong district skyline.
How long is the flight from Colombo to Shanghai?
The flight from Bandaranaike International (CMB) to Hongqiao International (SHA) takes about 5 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 3,144 miles (5,060 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Colombo to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Bay of Bengal heading northwest, passing over open water for most of the journey. Around the midpoint, the aircraft will be over the central Bay of Bengal with no major visible landmarks—just open ocean. As the flight approaches the Chinese coast (roughly 1.5 hours before landing), the Andaman Sea transitions to the South China Sea, and eventually the Yangtze River estuary and Chinese coastline become visible on descent. The flight does not pass over major inland mountain ranges or distinctive geographic features during the cruise phase.