Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Moscow to Beijing. While takeoff favors the right for Moscow views, the landing approach to Beijing on the left side is more visually rewarding, offering mountain views and the city's distinctive urban grid. The left side captures the more dramatic geography of the destination.

During takeoff from Sheremetyevo (SVO), sit on the Right side for the best views. SVO typically departs northbound (runways 24L/R or 06L/R depending on wind). Right-side seats offer views of Moscow's urban sprawl extending south and southeast, including the Moscow River's serpentine path through the city. Left side faces the relatively flat, forested terrain north of the airport with fewer distinctive landmarks. Notable sights include: Moscow city center and high-rises (distant, south), Moscow River bends and meanders, Sheremetyevo airport complex itself, suburban residential blocks extending toward horizon.

When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Left side for the best views. PEK approaches from the southeast on runways 01L/R or 19L/R depending on wind. Left-side seats during descent offer views of Beijing's urban grid, the Yanshan Mountains to the northwest, and the North China Plain's characteristic flat terrain. Right side faces the less visually distinctive southern approaches and industrial zones. Notable sights include: Yanshan Mountains (northwest, appearing as low ridges on horizon), Beijing's orthogonal street grid and high-rise clusters, North China Plain's agricultural patchwork, Miyun Reservoir or Huairou District reservoirs (depending on approach vector).

The flight from Sheremetyevo (SVO) to Capital (PEK) takes Approximately 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Ural Mountains (around 2 hours out, visible as a low, forested ridge), then traverses the vast Siberian Plain with sparse settlements and taiga forest. By midpoint near the Kazakhstan-Mongolia border, the landscape transitions to steppe—open, treeless terrain with minimal visible features. The Altai Mountains may be visible to the south on clear days (around 3 hours flight time). Approaching China, the terrain gradually becomes more populated with visible settlements, and the Gobi Desert's tan coloration becomes apparent before reaching the North China Plain.