At Samarkand in Samarkand: for takeoff, sit on the Right side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Zerafshan River, Samarkand city grid, surrounding Kyzylkum Desert, foothills of the Pamir-Alai mountains to the south.

When taking off from Samarkand (SKD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Zerafshan River valley and the surrounding desert landscape as aircraft climb northward from Samarkand. The left side faces the city itself and less dramatic terrain. The river's meandering path and the transition from urban to arid steppe are most visible to the right during initial climb. Notable sights include: Zerafshan River, Samarkand city grid, surrounding Kyzylkum Desert, foothills of the Pamir-Alai mountains to the south.

When landing at Samarkand (SKD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Samarkand Airport's primary runway orientation (09/27) means most approaches come from the east or west. Left-side seats offer views of the Zerafshan River valley and the historic city of Samarkand itself during final approach, while the right side faces open desert terrain with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Zerafshan River, Samarkand city center with Registan district, irrigated agricultural plains, desert plateau to the south.

The best window seat at Samarkand (SKD) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Samarkand (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.