Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Zurich to Punta Cana. Left side wins both the departure over the Swiss Alps and Lake Zurich and the arrival along the Bavaro Beach reef coastline. Over the Atlantic mid-flight both sides are equally featureless ocean, so the decisive views are at each end — and left takes both.

During takeoff from Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. ZRH's primary departure runway 28 sends aircraft westward, and a left (south) seat gives you the Alps sweeping across the horizon as you climb out over the Swiss Mittelland. You get a clear view of Lake Zurich extending southeast and the Glarus Alps beyond. Right side faces north toward the Jura hills, which are far less dramatic. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich, Glarus Alps, Zurich city center, Lake Greifen.

When landing at Punta Cana International (PUJ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Punta Cana's runway 08 means aircraft typically approach from the west heading east, putting the left (north) side facing the Atlantic coastline and the resort strip along Bavaro Beach. The turquoise shallow water over the coral reefs along the northeast Dominican coast is one of the most vivid aerial sights in the Caribbean. Right side faces inland scrub and flat terrain. Notable sights include: Bavaro Beach resort strip, Atlantic coral reef shallows, Punta Cana coastline, Saona Island visible to the south on clear days.

The flight from Zurich (ZRH) to Punta Cana International (PUJ) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.

After clearing the Alps the route tracks southwest over France, then out over the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic. The Iberian Peninsula may be visible briefly depending on exact routing — the Spanish meseta and Portuguese coast are possible sights. The Canary Islands occasionally appear as dark volcanic outlines far to the south near the African coast. The remainder is open North and Central Atlantic with no significant land until the Caribbean islands appear — Puerto Rico and Hispaniola emerge on the horizon roughly 45 minutes before landing, with the mountainous interior of the Dominican Republic visible as a dark elevated mass to the west.