Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dubai to Cairo. The right side misses the best of Dubai's departure but wins decisively on arrival with the Nile Delta, Cairo, and the Giza pyramids. During the cruise over the Sinai Peninsula and Red Sea crossing, the right side also picks up better views of the Gulf of Suez and the Sinai's rugged mountain terrain. The Giza pyramids on approach alone make right the call.

During takeoff from Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dubai International's primary departure runway 30L/30R sends aircraft northwest over the city. The left side captures the Dubai Creek, Deira district, and the older urban fabric of Dubai before the aircraft banks toward the Arabian Peninsula interior. You also get a clear look back at the Palm Jumeirah and the downtown skyline as the aircraft climbs out. Notable sights include: Dubai Creek and Deira district, Palm Jumeirah (receding behind), Dubai downtown skyline including Burj Khalifa, Arabian Gulf coastline.

When landing at Cairo International (CAI), sit on the Right side for the best views. Cairo International primarily uses runway 05R/23L and 05C/23C, with approaches from the northeast over the desert. Landing on runway 23, aircraft approach from the northeast, and the right side gives you the Nile Delta fanning out to the Mediterranean, the dense urban sprawl of Cairo, and the Giza Plateau with the pyramids visible to the southwest of the city on final approach. Notable sights include: Nile Delta and its branching channels, Cairo urban sprawl along the Nile, Giza Pyramid complex, Lake Manzala on the northeastern Delta edge.

The flight from Dubai International (DXB) to Cairo International (CAI) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

The route crosses the Rub al Khali desert edge, then the Qatar peninsula and Saudi Arabian coast are visible early on. The flight then crosses the Red Sea — a narrow but vivid blue strip — before reaching the Sinai Peninsula, whose rugged brown mountains including the St. Catherine massif (up to 8,600 ft) are clearly visible below. The Suez Canal appears as a dead-straight line cutting through flat desert before the Nile Delta opens up on descent into Cairo.