Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Zurich. The Alpine approach into Zurich on the left side is one of the most consistently spectacular arrivals in European aviation, with the main Alpine chain visible for a long descent. While the right side at Shanghai departure offers good city views, they are brief and often haze-limited. The left side's Alpine panorama on arrival tips the balance.

During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. PVG typically departs eastward on runway 16R/34L or uses runways oriented roughly north-south. On a westbound departure toward Europe, aircraft often climb out heading west or northwest, putting the right side facing south toward central Shanghai's Huangpu River bend, Pudong's skyline, and the broader Yangtze River delta wetlands. The left side faces open East China Sea. Notable sights include: Pudong skyline and Oriental Pearl Tower, Huangpu River S-bend through central Shanghai, Yangtze River mouth and delta wetlands, Chongming Island.

When landing at Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. ZRH's main landing approach on runway 14 or 28 typically brings aircraft in from the northeast or east. On approach from the east, the left side faces south toward the Swiss Alps — the Glarus Alps, Säntis massif, and on clear days the main Alpine chain including the Bernese Oberland peaks are visible. The right side faces north toward the Jura hills and German lowlands, which are far less dramatic. Notable sights include: Swiss Alps main chain (Bernese Oberland peaks on clear days), Säntis and Glarus Alps, Lake Zurich stretching southeast, Lake Constance (Bodensee) to the northeast.

The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Zurich (ZRH) takes Approximately 12 to 13 hours.

The route tracks northwest over eastern China, crossing the Gobi Desert and Mongolian steppe, then over Siberia's vast taiga and the Ob River basin, before crossing Kazakhstan and southern Russia. Over Central Asia the Tian Shan range may be visible to the south. The flight crosses the Ural Mountains (low and broad, barely distinguishable from altitude) and enters European Russia before descending over Poland, Germany, and into Switzerland.