Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Singapore. The left side wins overall mainly due to the spectacular approach into Singapore, with the Strait of Malacca's shipping traffic and the city's skyline offering a dramatic urban and maritime scene that outweighs the modest coastal takeoff view on the right.

During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing PVG heading south, the right side offers views over the Yangtze River Delta and Shanghai's coastline, including Hangzhou Bay, before the flight path turns out over water. Urban sprawl and coastal geography are briefly visible during climb. Notable sights include: Yangtze River Delta, Hangzhou Bay coastline, Shanghai outer suburbs.

When landing at Singapore Changi (SIN), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach to Changi from the north, the left side reveals the Strait of Malacca and Singapore's dense port infrastructure, including the massive container ship anchorages and the city's skyline near Marina Bay. This is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, clearly visible from altitude. Notable sights include: Strait of Malacca, Singapore container port, Marina Bay skyline, Sentosa Island.

The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Singapore Changi (SIN) takes 5h 05m.

The route crosses the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait or South China Sea (depending on routing), passing near the Philippines' Luzon Strait or Vietnamese coastline before reaching the Strait of Malacca — largely open ocean with occasional distant coastlines.