Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Islamabad to Abu Dhabi. Right-side seats win overall due to the dramatic Margalla Hills departure view, which is more visually striking than the landing. While the landing offers good coastal views on the left, the takeoff scenery is more distinctive and memorable.

During takeoff from Chaklala (ISB), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Margalla Hills immediately after departure. ISB typically departs runway 30 (northwest), so right-side passengers get a direct view of the ridge system rising sharply from the city's northern edge as the aircraft climbs. Notable sights include: Margalla Hills (northern ridge), Rawalpindi city sprawl (southwest), Islamabad's grid-pattern sectors (directly below during initial climb), Rawal Lake (visible as a small water body in the middle distance to the west).

When landing at Abu Dhabi International (AUH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best view during the descent into Abu Dhabi. AUH typically uses runways 31L/31R for arrivals from the north. On left-side descent, passengers see the Persian Gulf coastline, the city's waterfront development, and the approach path over the shallow coastal waters before touchdown. Notable sights include: Persian Gulf (shallow turquoise waters), Abu Dhabi's coastal high-rise district (Corniche area), Saadiyat Island (cultural district with distinctive modern architecture), Al Maryah Island (business district with tall towers).

The flight from Chaklala (ISB) to Abu Dhabi International (AUH) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Baloch Plateau and Makran region (sparse, arid terrain with minimal visible landmarks at cruise altitude). The Strait of Hormuz lies to the south but typically remains below the horizon or at the extreme southern edge of visibility. The route generally follows a direct southeasterly heading over open desert and then over the Persian Gulf. No major mountain ranges or cities are prominently visible during the cruise phase; the landscape is predominantly flat desert with occasional wadi systems that are difficult to distinguish at 35,000 feet.