The right side wins across all phases: a fleeting Shanghai skyline view at takeoff, then during the long cruise south the route passes just east of Taiwan and Luzon so their mountain ranges are visible to the right while the left side faces only open Philippine Sea, and finally the Cebu approach favors the right side with island and reef scenery.
Flown PVG to CEB? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Shanghai to Cebu is 1,446 miles (2,327 km), a flight of about 4 hours 5 minutes.
Taiwan's Central Mountain Range visible to the west near Hualien, the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and Luzon, and Luzon's Sierra Madre mountains along the northeastern Philippine coastline, with the Philippine Sea dominating the eastern (left) view throughout cruise.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PVG
RIGHTDeparting PVG's north-south runways southbound, the right (west-facing) side offers a brief glimpse of Shanghai's Pudong skyline and the Huangpu River as the aircraft climbs, while the left side only shows flat coastal marshland fading into Hangzhou Bay haze.
Landing at CEB
RIGHTOn approach into Cebu from the north, the right side faces Cebu Island's mountainous spine and Cebu City's coastal skyline, plus the turquoise shallows and reefs surrounding Mactan Island just before touchdown, while the left side mostly shows open Camotes Sea.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Cebu. The right side wins across all phases: a fleeting Shanghai skyline view at takeoff, then during the long cruise south the route passes just east of Taiwan and Luzon so their mountain ranges are visible to the right while the left side faces only open Philippine Sea, and finally the Cebu approach favors the right side with island and reef scenery.
What can I see during takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing PVG's north-south runways southbound, the right (west-facing) side offers a brief glimpse of Shanghai's Pudong skyline and the Huangpu River as the aircraft climbs, while the left side only shows flat coastal marshland fading into Hangzhou Bay haze. Notable sights include: Pudong/Lujiazui skyline, Huangpu River, Shanghai's southern suburbs, Hangzhou Bay coastline.
What can I see when landing at Mactan Cebu International Airport in Cebu?
When landing at Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Cebu from the north, the right side faces Cebu Island's mountainous spine and Cebu City's coastal skyline, plus the turquoise shallows and reefs surrounding Mactan Island just before touchdown, while the left side mostly shows open Camotes Sea. Notable sights include: Cebu City coastline, Cebu Island's central mountain ridge, Mactan Island reefs, Cebu Strait.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Cebu?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) takes about 4 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,446 miles (2,327 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Shanghai to Cebu flight path pass over?
Taiwan's Central Mountain Range visible to the west near Hualien, the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and Luzon, and Luzon's Sierra Madre mountains along the northeastern Philippine coastline, with the Philippine Sea dominating the eastern (left) view throughout cruise.