The great-circle path from Delhi to Almaty runs almost due north along roughly the same meridian, taking the left side directly past the Karakoram (including the K2 massif) and the Pamir peaks of Tajikistan for a long, sustained stretch of high-altitude mountain scenery. That extended cruise-phase spectacle outweighs the shorter, though still striking, Tian Shan view on the right during landing.
Flight Path
Karakoram Range (near K2) transitioning into the Pamir Mountains along the Tajikistan-China-Afghanistan border region, roughly at the flight's midpoint
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DEL
LEFTClimbing out of Delhi, the left side gives a clean view over the old city core and the Yamuna River floodplain, with the low Delhi Ridge (a spur of the Aravalli hills) visible on the horizon before the aircraft settles onto its northbound track. It's a modest but genuinely varied urban view compared to the flatter sprawl on the right.
Landing at ALA
RIGHTOn approach into Almaty, the airport sits right at the base of the Zailiysky Alatau range of the Tian Shan, and with landings typically made toward the northeast on runway 05, the steep snow-capped wall of mountains lies to the south and east — squarely on the right side of the aircraft during final descent.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Indira Gandhi International (DEL) to Almaty (ALA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Delhi to Almaty. The great-circle path from Delhi to Almaty runs almost due north along roughly the same meridian, taking the left side directly past the Karakoram (including the K2 massif) and the Pamir peaks of Tajikistan for a long, sustained stretch of high-altitude mountain scenery. That extended cruise-phase spectacle outweighs the shorter, though still striking, Tian Shan view on the right during landing.
What can I see during takeoff from Indira Gandhi International in Delhi?
During takeoff from Indira Gandhi International (DEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Climbing out of Delhi, the left side gives a clean view over the old city core and the Yamuna River floodplain, with the low Delhi Ridge (a spur of the Aravalli hills) visible on the horizon before the aircraft settles onto its northbound track. It's a modest but genuinely varied urban view compared to the flatter sprawl on the right. Notable sights include: Yamuna River, Old Delhi/Red Fort area, Delhi Ridge (Aravalli spur), New Delhi urban grid.
What can I see when landing at Almaty in Almaty?
When landing at Almaty (ALA), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Almaty, the airport sits right at the base of the Zailiysky Alatau range of the Tian Shan, and with landings typically made toward the northeast on runway 05, the steep snow-capped wall of mountains lies to the south and east — squarely on the right side of the aircraft during final descent. Notable sights include: Zailiysky Alatau (Tian Shan foothills), Almaty city grid, Ile-Alatau National Park peaks.
How long is the flight from Delhi to Almaty?
The flight from Indira Gandhi International (DEL) to Almaty (ALA) takes 3h 30m.
What does the Delhi to Almaty flight path pass over?
Karakoram Range (near K2) transitioning into the Pamir Mountains along the Tajikistan-China-Afghanistan border region, roughly at the flight's midpoint