Right-side seats deliver superior scenery for the majority of the flight. The takeoff climb over the Alps is dramatic and sustained, and the right wing maintains good views throughout the northbound cruise over the Jura Mountains and into the Rhine Valley. While the landing favors the left, the Alps experience outweighs this.
Flown ZRH to OSL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Zurich to Oslo is 886 miles (1,426 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
After clearing the Alps, the flight path crosses the Jura Mountains (visible as a lower, parallel ridge system running southwest-northeast), then descends into the Rhine Valley and the Swabian Plain. The Neckar and Rhine rivers may be visible as thin silver lines. As you progress northward into Germany and approach the Danish-German border, the terrain flattens considerably into the North European Plain. The landscape transitions from forested hills to agricultural flatland with scattered lakes. Near the Norwegian coast, the terrain becomes more rugged again with forests and water features characteristic of Scandinavia. The North Sea and Skagerrak Strait mark the final approach zone.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from ZRH
RIGHTRight-side seats offer views of the Alps immediately after departure. The aircraft climbs northeastward from Zurich, and the right wing provides direct sightlines to the snow-capped peaks and valleys of the northeastern Alps as you gain altitude over the first 15-20 minutes.
Landing at OSL
LEFTLeft-side seats provide excellent views during the descent into Oslo. The approach path brings you over the Oslofjord and the forested terrain of southeastern Norway, with the left wing offering unobstructed views of the fjord's islands, the city of Oslo sprawling along the waterfront, and the surrounding boreal forest landscape.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Zurich (ZRH) to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Zurich to Oslo. Right-side seats deliver superior scenery for the majority of the flight. The takeoff climb over the Alps is dramatic and sustained, and the right wing maintains good views throughout the northbound cruise over the Jura Mountains and into the Rhine Valley. While the landing favors the left, the Alps experience outweighs this.
What can I see during takeoff from Zurich in Zurich?
During takeoff from Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Alps immediately after departure. The aircraft climbs northeastward from Zurich, and the right wing provides direct sightlines to the snow-capped peaks and valleys of the northeastern Alps as you gain altitude over the first 15-20 minutes. Notable sights include: Säntis (8,209 ft), Appenzell Alps, Glarus Alps, Lake Zurich (receding below).
What can I see when landing at Oslo Gardermoen in Oslo?
When landing at Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views during the descent into Oslo. The approach path brings you over the Oslofjord and the forested terrain of southeastern Norway, with the left wing offering unobstructed views of the fjord's islands, the city of Oslo sprawling along the waterfront, and the surrounding boreal forest landscape. Notable sights include: Oslofjord (with its islands), Oslo city center and harbor, Marka forest (forested hills), Gardermoen plateau.
How long is the flight from Zurich to Oslo?
The flight from Zurich (ZRH) to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 886 miles (1,426 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Zurich to Oslo flight path pass over?
After clearing the Alps, the flight path crosses the Jura Mountains (visible as a lower, parallel ridge system running southwest-northeast), then descends into the Rhine Valley and the Swabian Plain. The Neckar and Rhine rivers may be visible as thin silver lines. As you progress northward into Germany and approach the Danish-German border, the terrain flattens considerably into the North European Plain. The landscape transitions from forested hills to agricultural flatland with scattered lakes. Near the Norwegian coast, the terrain becomes more rugged again with forests and water features characteristic of Scandinavia. The North Sea and Skagerrak Strait mark the final approach zone.