About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Incheon International (ICN) to Dubai International (DXB)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seoul to Dubai. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Korean coast you get the Han estuary and island-dotted Yellow Sea; on arrival into Dubai you look directly over the Creek and the downtown skyline. The right side offers open desert and Gulf water for most of the approach, which is less interesting.
What can I see during takeoff from Incheon International in Seoul?
During takeoff from Incheon International (ICN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Incheon departures heading southwest toward China typically use runways oriented roughly 15/33 or 34/16. On a westbound departure, the left side faces south toward the Yellow Sea and the Korean mainland. You get a clear view of the Han River estuary, the western coast of the Korean Peninsula, and the scattered islands of the Gyeonggi Bay area as the aircraft climbs out over water. Notable sights include: Han River estuary and tidal flats, Gyeonggi Bay island chains, Incheon city waterfront and port facilities, Ganghwa Island to the north.
What can I see when landing at Dubai International in Dubai?
When landing at Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dubai International's primary runways run roughly 12/30 (southeast-northwest). Aircraft arriving from the northeast on runway 30L/30R approach from over the Arabian Gulf and touch down heading northwest. The left side faces southwest, giving a direct view over central Dubai — the Creek, Deira, Bur Dubai, and the downtown skyline including the Burj Khalifa — as you descend across the city. Notable sights include: Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai skyline, Dubai Creek splitting Deira from Bur Dubai, Palm Jumeirah visible further southwest, Dubai Frame and Zabeel district.
How long is the flight from Seoul to Dubai?
The flight from Incheon International (ICN) to Dubai International (DXB) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the Seoul to Dubai flight path pass over?
The route crosses central China including the Yangtze River basin and the Tibetan Plateau's eastern edge, then tracks over the Himalayas or just south of them depending on routing, crosses Pakistan's Indus River valley and the Thar Desert, then descends over the Arabian Sea coast of Oman and the UAE before reaching Dubai. The Himalayas and Karakoram are the most dramatic midpoint feature, visible as a vast white ridgeline from cruising altitude on clear days, though exact visibility depends on whether the routing goes north or south of the range.