Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Alps during departure and over Jakarta Bay on approach, the left seat consistently delivers the more geographically interesting views. Along the cruise portion the flight tracks over India and the Bay of Bengal where neither side has a decisive advantage, so the departure and arrival views tip the balance.
Flown ZRH to CGK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Zurich to Jakarta is 6,909 miles (11,118 km), a flight of about 13 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks southeast from Switzerland over the Adriatic Sea, then across Greece and the eastern Mediterranean, before crossing into Turkey and Iran. It then passes over Pakistan and northern India, crossing the subcontinent roughly over the Ganges plain. The Bay of Bengal follows, then the Andaman Sea and the Malay Peninsula or Sumatra depending on routing, before descending over the Java Sea toward Jakarta. The Himalayas may be visible as a distant white wall to the north during the India crossing if conditions are clear.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ZRH
LEFTZurich typically departs on runway 16 heading southeast or runway 28 heading west. On a southeasterly departure toward Asia, the left side gives you a clear view of Lake Zurich stretching away to the southeast, with the Glarus Alps rising behind it. The right side faces northwest toward the city center and Zurichsee's upper basin, which is less dramatic.
Landing at CGK
LEFTSoekarno-Hatta sits on the northwest coast of Java. Aircraft typically approach from the north or northwest over the Java Sea, landing on runways oriented roughly east-west. On approach from the north, the left side faces west toward the Sunda Strait and gives a view of the coastline and Jakarta Bay. The right side faces inland toward the dense urban sprawl of Jakarta, which is also notable but less geographically distinctive.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Zurich (ZRH) to Soekarno Hatta International (CGK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Zurich to Jakarta. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Alps during departure and over Jakarta Bay on approach, the left seat consistently delivers the more geographically interesting views. Along the cruise portion the flight tracks over India and the Bay of Bengal where neither side has a decisive advantage, so the departure and arrival views tip the balance.
What can I see during takeoff from Zurich in Zurich?
During takeoff from Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Zurich typically departs on runway 16 heading southeast or runway 28 heading west. On a southeasterly departure toward Asia, the left side gives you a clear view of Lake Zurich stretching away to the southeast, with the Glarus Alps rising behind it. The right side faces northwest toward the city center and Zurichsee's upper basin, which is less dramatic. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich (Zürichsee), Glarus Alps, Lake Walen (Walensee), Rhine Valley.
What can I see when landing at Soekarno Hatta International in Jakarta?
When landing at Soekarno Hatta International (CGK), sit on the Left side for the best views. Soekarno-Hatta sits on the northwest coast of Java. Aircraft typically approach from the north or northwest over the Java Sea, landing on runways oriented roughly east-west. On approach from the north, the left side faces west toward the Sunda Strait and gives a view of the coastline and Jakarta Bay. The right side faces inland toward the dense urban sprawl of Jakarta, which is also notable but less geographically distinctive. Notable sights include: Jakarta Bay (Teluk Jakarta), Java Sea coastline, Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) scattered to the north, Jakarta urban grid.
How long is the flight from Zurich to Jakarta?
The flight from Zurich (ZRH) to Soekarno Hatta International (CGK) takes about 13 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,909 miles (11,118 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Zurich to Jakarta flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast from Switzerland over the Adriatic Sea, then across Greece and the eastern Mediterranean, before crossing into Turkey and Iran. It then passes over Pakistan and northern India, crossing the subcontinent roughly over the Ganges plain. The Bay of Bengal follows, then the Andaman Sea and the Malay Peninsula or Sumatra depending on routing, before descending over the Java Sea toward Jakarta. The Himalayas may be visible as a distant white wall to the north during the India crossing if conditions are clear.