About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Bali International (DPS) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Denpasar to Amsterdam. The left side wins overall. The Bali departure offers the most dramatic scenery of the entire flight — Gunung Agung is a genuinely spectacular active volcano visible in the first minutes of flight. The Amsterdam arrival on the right is interesting but the Dutch landscape is subtle. Across the long cruise, the left side also tracks closer to the Himalayas when passing over India and Central Asia, with distant views of high terrain possible in clear conditions.
What can I see during takeoff from Bali International in Denpasar?
During takeoff from Bali International (DPS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ngurah Rai airport sits on a narrow isthmus. Departures on runway 09 (eastward) put the left/north side facing Bali's interior, giving a clear view of Gunung Agung and Gunung Batur rising above the island. The right side faces the Indian Ocean with little of interest. Notable sights include: Gunung Agung (3,031m volcano, Bali's highest peak), Gunung Batur (active caldera with crater lake), Bali's southern rice terraces and Kuta beach strip below.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Schiphol's primary arrival runway 18R/36L runs roughly north-south. On approach from the southeast, aircraft track over the Dutch countryside and descend over the Randstad. The right/east side gives views over Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJ waterway, and the city center, while the left side faces open polder farmland. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring and city center, IJ waterway and Amsterdam harbour, Markermeer lake to the northeast, Dutch polder farmland grid pattern.
How long is the flight from Denpasar to Amsterdam?
The flight from Bali International (DPS) to Schiphol (AMS) takes Approximately 15 to 17 hours depending on routing and winds, typically with a stop or via a connecting hub.
What does the Denpasar to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest from Bali over Java and the Java Sea, then across the Indian subcontinent over India and Pakistan, passing north of the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges. It then crosses Central Asia over Iran and Turkey, transits the Caspian Sea and Black Sea regions, crosses the Balkans and Central Europe over Hungary, Austria, and Germany before descending into the Netherlands. Notable features include the Ganges plain, the Zagros Mountains of Iran, the Bosphorus strait near Istanbul, and the Rhine valley on descent.