The right side offers the only meaningful landmarks on this mostly over-water route: the Zhejiang coastline at departure and Jakarta Bay with its islands and city sprawl on arrival, while the left side is dominated by featureless open sea for most of the flight.
Flown PVG to CGK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Shanghai to Jakarta is 2,763 miles (4,446 km), a flight of about 5 hours 50 minutes.
South China Sea open water, Natuna Islands, Vietnam's southern coastline near Con Dao, Sumatra's eastern coast, Bangka-Belitung islands before the Java Sea approach
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PVG
RIGHTDeparting PVG on the south-southeast heading, the right side faces west toward the Zhejiang coastline, giving a brief but genuine view of the Hangzhou Bay estuary and Zhoushan Islands before the aircraft turns out over open water. The left side only shows the featureless East China Sea.
Landing at CGK
RIGHTOn approach into CGK from the north, the right side (facing west/southwest during the turn) offers views of Jakarta Bay, the small coral islands of the Kepulauan Seribu, and the dense low-rise sprawl of Jakarta itself. The left side mostly shows open Java Sea with little else to see.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Soekarno Hatta International (CGK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Jakarta. The right side offers the only meaningful landmarks on this mostly over-water route: the Zhejiang coastline at departure and Jakarta Bay with its islands and city sprawl on arrival, while the left side is dominated by featureless open sea for most of the flight.
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 on the south-southeast heading, the right side faces west toward the Zhejiang coastline, giving a brief but genuine view of the Hangzhou Bay estuary and Zhoushan Islands before the aircraft turns out over open water. The left side only shows the featureless East China Sea. Notable sights include: Hangzhou Bay estuary, Zhoushan Archipelago, Ningbo coastal industrial zone.
What can I see when landing at Soekarno Hatta International in Jakarta?
When landing at Soekarno Hatta International (CGK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into CGK from the north, the right side (facing west/southwest during the turn) offers views of Jakarta Bay, the small coral islands of the Kepulauan Seribu, and the dense low-rise sprawl of Jakarta itself. The left side mostly shows open Java Sea with little else to see. Notable sights include: Jakarta Bay, Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands), Jakarta cityscape, Cengkareng river delta.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Jakarta?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Soekarno Hatta International (CGK) takes about 5 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,763 miles (4,446 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Shanghai to Jakarta flight path pass over?
South China Sea open water, Natuna Islands, Vietnam's southern coastline near Con Dao, Sumatra's eastern coast, Bangka-Belitung islands before the Java Sea approach