While left seats offer a strong takeoff experience, right seats provide the more distinctive landing view of Mumbai's harbor geography and Arabian Sea approach. The landing view is more visually rewarding and geographically informative than the takeoff, making right the overall choice for this route.
Flown MAA to BOM? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Madras to Bombay is 642 miles (1,033 km), a flight of about 1 hour 25 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Deccan Plateau interior, passing over the Eastern Ghats foothills and transitioning toward the Western Ghats. Notable features include the Krishna River valley (south of direct route), scattered reservoirs and agricultural patchwork across Maharashtra and Telangana, and the gradual elevation gain toward the Western Ghats escarpment as the aircraft approaches the Mumbai coast. The terrain transitions from coastal plains to elevated plateau to coastal mountains.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from MAA
LEFTChennai typically departs from runways 07L/R or 25L/R. A left-side seat captures the Cooum River delta and Pulicat Lake to the north during northwesterly climb-out, providing immediate water and wetland geography. Right seats see inland urban sprawl with less distinctive visual markers.
Landing at BOM
RIGHTApproaching BOM typically uses runways 09L/R or 27L/R. Right-side seats during descent capture the Arabian Sea approach and the distinctive geography of Mumbai's harbor islands—Elephanta Island and the Salsette Island formation—which are visually prominent and unique. Left seats see the inland Thane Creek and less dramatic terrain.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chennai International (MAA) to Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Madras to Bombay. While left seats offer a strong takeoff experience, right seats provide the more distinctive landing view of Mumbai's harbor geography and Arabian Sea approach. The landing view is more visually rewarding and geographically informative than the takeoff, making right the overall choice for this route.
What can I see during takeoff from Chennai International in Madras?
During takeoff from Chennai International (MAA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Chennai typically departs from runways 07L/R or 25L/R. A left-side seat captures the Cooum River delta and Pulicat Lake to the north during northwesterly climb-out, providing immediate water and wetland geography. Right seats see inland urban sprawl with less distinctive visual markers. Notable sights include: Cooum River delta (immediate foreground), Pulicat Lake (north, shallow brackish water body), Chennai harbor and port facilities (south), Madras city grid (west).
What can I see when landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji International in Bombay?
When landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Approaching BOM typically uses runways 09L/R or 27L/R. Right-side seats during descent capture the Arabian Sea approach and the distinctive geography of Mumbai's harbor islands—Elephanta Island and the Salsette Island formation—which are visually prominent and unique. Left seats see the inland Thane Creek and less dramatic terrain. Notable sights include: Arabian Sea (approach water), Elephanta Island (rocky island with caves, southeast of harbor), Salsette Island and harbor islands (Mumbai's geographic foundation), Western Ghats escarpment (distant eastern horizon).
How long is the flight from Madras to Bombay?
The flight from Chennai International (MAA) to Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM) takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 642 miles (1,033 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Madras to Bombay flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Deccan Plateau interior, passing over the Eastern Ghats foothills and transitioning toward the Western Ghats. Notable features include the Krishna River valley (south of direct route), scattered reservoirs and agricultural patchwork across Maharashtra and Telangana, and the gradual elevation gain toward the Western Ghats escarpment as the aircraft approaches the Mumbai coast. The terrain transitions from coastal plains to elevated plateau to coastal mountains.