SVOPVG

Which side of the plane from Moscow to Shanghai

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Sheremetyevo (SVO) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Moscow to Shanghai. Left-side seats win overall because the landing approach into Shanghai is more visually rewarding than the Moscow departure. The Huangpu River, Pudong skyline, and coastal geography provide dramatic, concentrated scenery during descent. The takeoff from Moscow is pleasant but less distinctive.

What can I see during takeoff from Sheremetyevo in Moscow?

During takeoff from Sheremetyevo (SVO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of Moscow's urban sprawl and the Moskva River system as the aircraft climbs southeastward. You'll see the city's concentric ring structure and surrounding forests before heading toward the flight corridor. Notable sights include: Moskva River (winding through Moscow), Moscow city center and ring roads, Sheremetyevo airport complex itself, surrounding birch and coniferous forests of the Moscow Oblast.

What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?

When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views of Shanghai's Huangpu River, the Pudong skyline, and the East China Sea coast during descent. The aircraft approaches from the northwest, so left windows face the city's most dramatic urban features and water bodies. Notable sights include: Huangpu River (Shanghai's main waterway), Pudong financial district skyline, Yangtze River estuary and mudflats, East China Sea coastline.

How long is the flight from Moscow to Shanghai?

The flight from Sheremetyevo (SVO) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 7.5 to 8.5 hours.

What does the Moscow to Shanghai flight path pass over?

The flight path crosses the Ural Mountains (visible as a low, forested ridge around 3-4 hours into flight), then traverses the steppes and deserts of Kazakhstan and western China. The Altai Mountains appear as a distant ridge on the southern horizon. The flight then crosses the Gobi Desert (tan, featureless terrain) and approaches the North China Plain. The Yangtze River valley becomes visible in the final 1.5 hours, with agricultural fields and river systems becoming increasingly dense as the aircraft descends toward Shanghai.