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ALA → FRA
Which side of the plane to sit from Almaty Airport (Alma-ata) to Frankfurt am Main Airport (Frankfurt)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more dramatic landscape, featuring the towering Tien Shan mountains immediately after departure and the majestic Caucasus range midway through the journey.
Trans-Ili Alatau
Breathtaking views of the snow-capped Tien Shan peaks rising sharply just south of Almaty right after takeoff.
Caspian Sea Shoreline
The southern crossing of the Caspian Sea often reveals the rugged coastline of the Mangystau region.
Caucasus Mountains
Spectacular views of Mount Elbrus and the Great Caucasus range, marking the geographic border between Asia and Europe.
Black Sea Coast
Views of the southern coastline and the deep blue waters of the Black Sea as the flight enters European airspace.
Carpathian Mountains
The flight path typically crosses over the forested ridges of the Carpathians in Romania or Ukraine.
Bavarian Alps
On clear days, the distant jagged peaks of the Alps are visible to the south during the descent into Frankfurt.
The left side (A seats) is superior for photography but faces the sun for much of this westward daytime flight. Close your window shade during the mid-flight glare to stay cool, but keep it open for the first 30 minutes to see the Tien Shan and around hour 3-4 for the Caucasus. Seasonal snow cover makes the mountains look particularly impressive from October to May.
Kazakh Steppe
Vast, seemingly endless horizons of the Central Asian steppe with unique circular geological formations.
Aral Sea Basin
Aerial views of the salt flats and the dramatic environmental remnants of the receding Aral Sea.
Volga River Delta
The intricate green labyrinth where the Volga, Europe's longest river, meets the Caspian Sea.
European Plains
The transition into the highly organized, colorful agricultural patchwork of Poland and Eastern Germany.
Frankfurt Skyline
Excellent views of the 'Mainhattan' skyscrapers and the Main River if the wind dictates a westerly landing approach.
Choose the right side (K seats) if you prefer indirect light and better visibility of ground details without sun glare. This side provides a better perspective of the Aral Sea's transformation. During the final approach into FRA, the right side often gets a better view of the Frankfurt city center and the Commerzbank Arena.
Distance: 5,089 km (3,162 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 5 hrs 59 min
Departure: ALA (43.35210037231445, 77.04049682617188)
Arrival: FRA (50.033333, 8.570556)
Route Type: International
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