Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Zurich to Abu Dhabi. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise, the left side also tracks closer to the Zagros Mountains of Iran and the Persian Gulf coastline as the route curves southeast, offering more terrain interest than the right side's view over open desert and water.

During takeoff from Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Zurich typically departs on runway 16 (southbound) or 28 (westbound). On a southbound departure, the left side faces east toward the Alps — you get a clear view of the Glarus Alps and Lake Zurich stretching away below. On a westbound departure, left side still captures Lake Zurich and the city center before the aircraft turns southeast. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich, Glarus Alps (Glärnisch massif), Zurich city center, Lake Walen (Walensee).

When landing at Abu Dhabi International (AUH), sit on the Left side for the best views. AUH typically lands on runway 31L/31R (northwest approach) or 13 (southeast approach). On the common northwest approach over the Gulf, the left side faces south and southwest, giving views over Abu Dhabi island, the Corniche waterfront, and the dense downtown skyline including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The right side faces out over open Gulf water. Notable sights include: Abu Dhabi Corniche, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi downtown skyline, Abu Dhabi island coastline.

The flight from Zurich (ZRH) to Abu Dhabi International (AUH) takes Approximately 6 hours 15 minutes.

The route passes over the Swiss Alps, then northern Italy, crosses the Adriatic Sea near Venice, tracks over Greece or western Turkey depending on routing, crosses Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean, then enters the Middle East over Lebanon or Syria, crosses Iraq or Kuwait, and descends over the Arabian Gulf toward Abu Dhabi. The Zagros Mountain range in Iran may be visible on the left side during the eastern portion of the flight.