The right side wins because it captures more of the route's defining terrain contrasts — the Aravalli foothills near Delhi, glimpses of the Sulaiman and Zagros mountain fronts along the northern edge of the flight path over Pakistan and Iran, and the dramatic Nile Valley approach into Cairo. The left side spends most of the flight over the featureless Arabian Sea coastline and open desert with little visual variety.
Flight Path
The flight path crosses the Indus River plain and Sulaiman mountain foothills in Pakistan, then the arid Iranian plateau near the Zagros range, before transitioning over the Arabian Peninsula's northern desert toward the Red Sea and the Nile Valley.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DEL
RIGHTDeparting DEL to the west, the right (north) side gives passengers a fleeting view of the Aravalli hills and Delhi's northern sprawl before the aircraft turns onto its westbound track toward Pakistan. The left side mostly shows flat agricultural plains south of Delhi with little definition.
Landing at CAI
RIGHTOn approach to CAI from the east, the right side offers views of the Nile Valley's sharp green-versus-desert contrast and the Cairo skyline along the river, with the Giza pyramid plateau sometimes visible to the southwest depending on runway assignment. The left side mostly faces the featureless Eastern Desert.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Indira Gandhi International (DEL) to Cairo International (CAI)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Delhi to Cairo. The right side wins because it captures more of the route's defining terrain contrasts — the Aravalli foothills near Delhi, glimpses of the Sulaiman and Zagros mountain fronts along the northern edge of the flight path over Pakistan and Iran, and the dramatic Nile Valley approach into Cairo. The left side spends most of the flight over the featureless Arabian Sea coastline and open desert with little visual variety.
What can I see during takeoff from Indira Gandhi International in Delhi?
During takeoff from Indira Gandhi International (DEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DEL to the west, the right (north) side gives passengers a fleeting view of the Aravalli hills and Delhi's northern sprawl before the aircraft turns onto its westbound track toward Pakistan. The left side mostly shows flat agricultural plains south of Delhi with little definition. Notable sights include: Yamuna River, Delhi urban sprawl, distant Aravalli range.
What can I see when landing at Cairo International in Cairo?
When landing at Cairo International (CAI), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach to CAI from the east, the right side offers views of the Nile Valley's sharp green-versus-desert contrast and the Cairo skyline along the river, with the Giza pyramid plateau sometimes visible to the southwest depending on runway assignment. The left side mostly faces the featureless Eastern Desert. Notable sights include: Nile River and Delta green belt, Cairo cityscape, Giza pyramid plateau.
How long is the flight from Delhi to Cairo?
The flight from Indira Gandhi International (DEL) to Cairo International (CAI) takes 5h 50m.
What does the Delhi to Cairo flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Indus River plain and Sulaiman mountain foothills in Pakistan, then the arid Iranian plateau near the Zagros range, before transitioning over the Arabian Peninsula's northern desert toward the Red Sea and the Nile Valley.