Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The flight is short — under 45 minutes — and the most sustained viewing opportunity is on approach into Abu Dhabi. The left side delivers the better overall experience: the Abu Dhabi Island coastal panorama on descent is more visually distinctive than the Dubai departure view, and during the cruise portion the left side also faces the Arabian Gulf coastline rather than the featureless interior desert.

During takeoff from Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Right side for the best views. DXB's runways run roughly northwest-southeast (30L/30R and 12L/12R). Departures heading southwest toward AUH typically use the 30 runways, climbing out over the city. The right side gives you a clear view south over the Dubai Creek, Deira, and the older city districts as you turn toward Abu Dhabi. Notable sights include: Dubai Creek and Deira waterfront, Downtown Dubai skyline including Burj Khalifa visible to the south, Dubai's coastal highway corridor, and the flat desert expanse of the UAE interior.

When landing at Abu Dhabi International (AUH), sit on the Left side for the best views. AUH's main runways run roughly east-west (31L/31R and 13L/13R). Arriving from Dubai, aircraft typically approach from the east on runway 31, meaning the final approach track is heading northwest. The left side faces south toward Abu Dhabi Island, the Corniche, and the city's coastal layout as you descend. Notable sights include: Abu Dhabi Island and the Corniche waterfront, the dense tower cluster of central Abu Dhabi, the shallow tidal flats and mangrove channels south of the island, and the flat sabkha desert terrain between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The flight from Dubai International (DXB) to Abu Dhabi International (AUH) takes Approximately 35-45 minutes.

The flight crosses the flat coastal plain of the UAE, passing over or near the town of Al Ghubaiba and the industrial zone of Jebel Ali port on the coast to the north. The terrain throughout is extremely flat sabkha and desert with occasional highway infrastructure. The Arabian Gulf coastline is visible to the north for most of the flight, with shallow tidal flats and small islands near Abu Dhabi becoming visible in the final third of the route.