Doha to Shanghai flight pathDOHPVG

Sit on the left side of the plane

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Flight time8h 45m
Distance4,223
Heading067° → 104°
Best side
Left
★ 4.5 left·★ 2.5 right

The great-circle path from Doha to Shanghai bows north across southern Iran, Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, and the Tibetan Plateau's edge, putting the Zagros Mountains, Hindu Kush, Karakoram (K2 region), and Kunlun Shan on the left side of the aircraft for most of the cruise. Combined with the left-side view of Doha at takeoff and the Yangtze Delta on arrival, the left side offers far more dramatic and varied scenery than the right, which sees mostly open Gulf water, desert plateau, and flat coastal plain.

Flown DOH to PVG? Did we get it right?

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Doha to Shanghai is 4,223 miles (6,796 km), a flight of about 8 hours 45 minutes.

Iranian Plateau and Zagros Mountains, Hindu Kush and Pamir ranges over Afghanistan, Karakoram range near the Pakistan-China border, western edge of the Tibetan Plateau and Kunlun Shan, Taklamakan Desert margins, Gansu corridor before descending into the North China Plain

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Doha (left side) — Doha West Bay skyline, The Pearl-Qatar artificial island, Persian Gulf coastline, Qatari coastal desert

Takeoff from DOH

LEFT

Departures from DOH typically roll out to the northwest and then bank right onto the eastbound track toward Iran, which swings Doha's skyline and coastline across the left side of the cabin during the turn. Right-side passengers mostly see open desert and Gulf water with no city reference.

Doha West Bay skylineThe Pearl-Qatar artificial islandPersian Gulf coastlineQatari coastal desert
DOH Hamad International AirportHub for Qatar Airways
Aerial window seat view during landing at Shanghai (left side) — Yangtze River Delta canals and fish ponds, Huangpu River, distant Pudong skyline, Chongming Island

Landing at PVG

LEFT

On approach into PVG from the west, the descent path crosses the Yangtze River Delta before the final turn onto the north-south runways, giving left-side passengers a view of the delta's canals, fish ponds, and the Huangpu River with Shanghai's skyline in the distance. Right-side views over this stretch are dominated by the flatter, less distinct land toward Hangzhou Bay.

Yangtze River Delta canals and fish pondsHuangpu Riverdistant Pudong skylineChongming Island
PVG Shanghai Pudong InternationalHub for China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Juneyao Airlines

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hamad International Airport (DOH) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Doha to Shanghai. The great-circle path from Doha to Shanghai bows north across southern Iran, Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, and the Tibetan Plateau's edge, putting the Zagros Mountains, Hindu Kush, Karakoram (K2 region), and Kunlun Shan on the left side of the aircraft for most of the cruise. Combined with the left-side view of Doha at takeoff and the Yangtze Delta on arrival, the left side offers far more dramatic and varied scenery than the right, which sees mostly open Gulf water, desert plateau, and flat coastal plain.

What can I see during takeoff from Hamad International Airport in Doha?

During takeoff from Hamad International Airport (DOH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departures from DOH typically roll out to the northwest and then bank right onto the eastbound track toward Iran, which swings Doha's skyline and coastline across the left side of the cabin during the turn. Right-side passengers mostly see open desert and Gulf water with no city reference. Notable sights include: Doha West Bay skyline, The Pearl-Qatar artificial island, Persian Gulf coastline, Qatari coastal desert.

What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?

When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into PVG from the west, the descent path crosses the Yangtze River Delta before the final turn onto the north-south runways, giving left-side passengers a view of the delta's canals, fish ponds, and the Huangpu River with Shanghai's skyline in the distance. Right-side views over this stretch are dominated by the flatter, less distinct land toward Hangzhou Bay. Notable sights include: Yangtze River Delta canals and fish ponds, Huangpu River, distant Pudong skyline, Chongming Island.

How long is the flight from Doha to Shanghai?

The flight from Hamad International Airport (DOH) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes about 8 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,223 miles (6,796 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Doha to Shanghai flight path pass over?

Iranian Plateau and Zagros Mountains, Hindu Kush and Pamir ranges over Afghanistan, Karakoram range near the Pakistan-China border, western edge of the Tibetan Plateau and Kunlun Shan, Taklamakan Desert margins, Gansu corridor before descending into the North China Plain