Photo: Bjoertveansen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The Arctic archipelago of glaciers, polar bears, and midnight sun. Svalbard's ice-covered mountains are visible on polar routes between North America and Europe.
30Flight Routes
7 kmClosest Pass
🧊 IceType
Routes that pass it30
HYD → ORD
Both Sides
ORD → HYD
Both Sides
KWI → SFO
Both Sides
LYR → TOS
Both Sides
SFO → KWI
Both Sides
TOS → LYR
Both Sides
FBU → LYR
Right
LYR → FBU
Left
LYR → OSL
Left
OSL → LYR
Right
BFL → DOH
Left
DOH → BFL
Right
LHR → LYR
Right
LYR → LHR
Left
ILO → LYR
Left
LYR → ILO
Right
AUS → BOM
Right
BOM → AUS
Left
OPO → SON
Left
SON → OPO
Right
MAA → ORD
Left
ORD → MAA
Right
CMB → ORD
Right
ORD → CMB
Left
DEL → ORD
Left
ORD → DEL
Right
AJI → SEA
Right
SEA → AJI
Left
DOH → LAX
Right
LAX → DOH
Left
Tip: Visibility depends on cloud cover, time of day, and how close the flight path comes. Sit on the listed side for the best chance of a view. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see Svalbard from a plane?
Yes — 30 flight routes pass within 200 km of Svalbard. The closest routes include Hyderabad to Chicago, Chicago to Hyderabad, Kuwait to San Francisco. The landmark is visible from both sides, with the landmark passing about 7 km away.
Which side of the plane is best for viewing Svalbard?
The best side varies by route. For the most common routes near Svalbard: on a Hyderabad to Chicago flight, visible from both sides; on a Chicago to Hyderabad flight, visible from both sides; on a Kuwait to San Francisco flight, visible from both sides.