During cruise, the right side faces northwest toward the karst hills of Guangxi and the mountainous spine of northern Vietnam and Laos, offering varied, dramatic terrain, while the left side mostly overlooks the featureless South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin.
Flown SHA to BKK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Shanghai to Bangkok is 1,780 miles (2,865 km), a flight of about 3 hours 35 minutes.
Karst hill country of Guangxi, the Gulf of Tonkin coastline, and the forested mountains of northern Vietnam and Laos along the Mekong basin
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SHA
LEFTDeparting Hongqiao to the south before turning southwest, the left side offers a brief but clear view over the Puxi and Pudong skyline and the Huangpu River before the aircraft turns inland over flat Jiangsu farmland.
Landing at BKK
RIGHTOn approach into Suvarnabhumi from the north, the right side faces west toward central Bangkok, giving passengers a wide view of the Chao Phraya River winding through the city skyline and surrounding rice paddies before touchdown.
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Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Bangkok. During cruise, the right side faces northwest toward the karst hills of Guangxi and the mountainous spine of northern Vietnam and Laos, offering varied, dramatic terrain, while the left side mostly overlooks the featureless South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin.
What can I see during takeoff from Hongqiao International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Hongqiao International (SHA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Hongqiao to the south before turning southwest, the left side offers a brief but clear view over the Puxi and Pudong skyline and the Huangpu River before the aircraft turns inland over flat Jiangsu farmland. Notable sights include: Huangpu River, Pudong skyline (Oriental Pearl Tower area), Shanghai suburbs, Hangzhou Bay in the distance.
What can I see when landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok?
When landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Suvarnabhumi from the north, the right side faces west toward central Bangkok, giving passengers a wide view of the Chao Phraya River winding through the city skyline and surrounding rice paddies before touchdown. Notable sights include: Chao Phraya River, Bangkok skyline (Sathorn/Silom towers), flooded rice paddies, Gulf of Thailand haze on the horizon.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Bangkok?
The flight from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) takes about 3 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,780 miles (2,865 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Shanghai to Bangkok flight path pass over?
Karst hill country of Guangxi, the Gulf of Tonkin coastline, and the forested mountains of northern Vietnam and Laos along the Mekong basin