Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to St. Petersburg. Right-side seats capture the more dramatic departure views over the Yangtze estuary and maintain better sightlines across northern China and Mongolia during the long cruise phase. The landing approach is less visually distinctive, making the takeoff advantage decisive.

During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. PVG typically departs eastbound (Runways 08L/08R). Right-side seats face north across the Yangtze River estuary and Hangzhou Bay, offering clear views of Shanghai's waterfront geography and the industrial landscape north toward Jiangsu Province. Notable sights include: Yangtze River estuary (wide muddy confluence directly below), Hangzhou Bay (broader water body to the south), Pudong skyline receding westward, industrial port facilities along the river.

When landing at Pulkovo (LED), sit on the Left side for the best views. LED typically uses Runway 01 (northbound approach). Left-side seats on descent face west across the Gulf of Finland, providing views of the water approach and St. Petersburg's location on the Neva River delta before touchdown. Notable sights include: Gulf of Finland (broad water body to the west), Neva River delta (visible as the aircraft descends toward the city), Lake Ladoga (visible to the east on clear days as a large water mass), St. Petersburg urban sprawl along the river.

The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Pulkovo (LED) takes Approximately 10.5 to 11.5 hours.

The flight path crosses central China (Anhui, Henan provinces), then transitions over the North China Plain toward Beijing airspace. Continuing northwest, the route passes over Inner Mongolia's grasslands and desert regions (visible as tan, featureless terrain at altitude), then enters Russian airspace over the Altai Mountains region. The final leg crosses the West Siberian Plain and approaches St. Petersburg from the southeast across the Gulf of Finland. Major visible waypoints include the Yellow River (Huang He) in central China, the Gobi Desert margins in Inner Mongolia, and the Ural Mountains as a distant ridge on the eastern horizon during the Russian segment.