Sit on the Right for takeoff, Left for landing side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Barcelona. This westbound route offers distinct scenic phases: the right side dominates during Shanghai departure with the Yangtze delta and coastal features, while the left side becomes superior during Barcelona arrival with Montserrat and Mediterranean views. No single side wins the entire flight.

During takeoff from Hongqiao International (SHA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Yangtze River estuary and Hangzhou Bay as the aircraft climbs westward from Hongqiao. The river's massive delta system and tidal mudflats are striking from 8,000–15,000 feet, with the city sprawl of Shanghai visible below before transitioning to agricultural plains. Notable sights include: Yangtze River estuary, Hangzhou Bay, Shanghai urban grid, East China Sea coastline.

When landing at Barcelona (BCN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best views during descent into Barcelona. As the aircraft approaches from the northeast, the left side reveals the Montserrat mountain range's distinctive jagged peaks, the Llobregat River valley, and the Mediterranean coastline with the city sprawling toward the sea. Notable sights include: Montserrat mountain range, Llobregat River valley, Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona urban sprawl.

The flight from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Barcelona (BCN) takes Approximately 13–14 hours (including one stop or direct routing via Central Asia).

The flight path crosses the Tianshan Mountains (visible from both sides during transit through Xinjiang), the Caspian Sea's eastern shore, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Black Sea before entering European airspace. Over Central Asia, passengers may see the Taklamakan Desert and Pamir Mountains. The route then crosses Turkey's Anatolian Plateau and approaches the Mediterranean via Greece or southern Europe.