Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Jakarta to Beijing. While takeoff offers interesting coastal and island views on the right, the landing approach on the left provides more dramatic and sustained geography—the Taihang Mountains and the transition from the North China Plain into Beijing's urban area are more visually distinctive than Jakarta's departure views.

During takeoff from Halim Perdanakusuma International (HLP), sit on the Right side for the best views. HLP typically departs eastbound on runway 25L/25R. Right-side seats offer views of Jakarta's urban sprawl and the Java Sea immediately after liftoff, with the Thousand Islands archipelago visible during the initial climb-out. Notable sights include: Jakarta city center and port facilities, Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) scattered across the Java Sea to the north, Mount Salak on the distant southwestern horizon, Bogor highlands to the south.

When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Left side for the best views. PEK typically lands westbound on runway 01L/01R. Left-side seats during descent offer views of the North China Plain, the Ming Tombs area, and the approach over the Yanqing District with the Taihang Mountains visible to the west before final approach into the airport. Notable sights include: Taihang Mountains (western horizon), Ming Tombs area north of Beijing, North China Plain agricultural fields, Yanqing District terrain.

The flight from Halim Perdanakusuma International (HLP) to Capital (PEK) takes Approximately 5 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the South China Sea heading northwest, passing over or near the Paracel Islands region (not typically visible due to altitude and distance), then crosses into mainland China over Guangdong or Guangxi provinces. The route then follows a northwesterly track across central China, passing east of the Qinling Mountains and over Henan and Hebei provinces. The Yellow River and its valley may be visible during the approach phase. The flight transits through areas of significant air traffic congestion as it approaches Beijing's airspace.