About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Frankfurt Main (FRA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Frankfurt. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the long cruise over Central Asia and Russia, the left side also faces slightly more southward, giving occasional views of the Altai and Ural mountain ranges depending on the exact routing, while the right side faces north toward featureless Siberian taiga.
What can I see during takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVG departures heading west or northwest on runways 16/34 or 17/35 give left-side passengers a clear view over the Huangpu River, the Pudong skyline, and the dense urban grid of central Shanghai. The right side faces open East China Sea and flat reclaimed land with little of interest. Notable sights include: Pudong skyline (Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower cluster), Huangpu River bends, Suzhou Creek confluence, Chongming Island to the north.
What can I see when landing at Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
When landing at Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Frankfurt typically uses runways 25L/25C for westerly landings, with the approach coming from the east over the Rhine-Main region. Left-side passengers get a clear view of the Frankfurt city center, the Main River, and the Taunus hills to the north. Right side faces south toward flat agricultural land. Notable sights include: Frankfurt city center and banking district skyline, Main River, Taunus hill range to the north, Rhine River visible in the far distance to the northwest.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Frankfurt?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Frankfurt Main (FRA) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Shanghai to Frankfurt flight path pass over?
The route typically tracks northwest from Shanghai over eastern China, crosses Mongolia and the Gobi Desert, transits southern Siberia near Lake Baikal (visible as a massive elongated dark blue body of water in clear conditions), crosses the Ural Mountains (a low broad ridge marking the Europe-Asia boundary), then descends over the North European Plain through Poland and western Germany into Frankfurt. Lake Baikal and the Ural crossing are the two most visually distinctive midpoint features.