Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hong Kong to Dubai. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. The takeoff view of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline is one of the most dramatic urban departures in aviation, and the landing approach over Dubai Creek with the Downtown skyline in the distance is equally rewarding. The right side offers open water and desert for most of the journey.

During takeoff from Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. HKG departures heading west over the Pearl River Delta typically use runways 07L/07R or 25L/25R. On a westbound departure toward DXB, aircraft climb out over Lantau Island and the Pearl River estuary. The left side gives you the urban density of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, with Victoria Harbour clearly visible as a narrow channel separating the two landmasses. Notable sights include: Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island skyline, Kowloon Peninsula urban grid, Lion Rock ridgeline above Kowloon, Pearl River estuary spreading westward.

When landing at Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dubai International's primary runways are 12L/12R and 30L/30R. On approach from the east, aircraft typically come in over the desert and descend toward the coast. The left side on final approach gives a view over Dubai Creek, Deira, and the older city districts, while the right side faces the open desert. Left also catches the downtown skyline including the Burj Khalifa at a distance during the approach arc. Notable sights include: Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai skyline, Dubai Creek and Deira district, The Palm Jumeirah visible to the southwest, Persian Gulf coastline.

The flight from Hong Kong International (HKG) to Dubai International (DXB) takes Approximately 8 to 8.5 hours.

The flight path crosses southern China briefly before tracking over Myanmar and Bangladesh, then across the Bay of Bengal and the Indian subcontinent — typically over central India including the Deccan Plateau. It then crosses the Arabian Sea before reaching the UAE coast. The Himalayas are too far north to be visible. The Arabian Sea crossing is featureless open ocean for roughly 2 hours. The Indian coastline near Gujarat and the Gulf of Khambhat may be visible on descent into the Arabian Sea leg.