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AUH → EBL
Which side of the plane to sit from Abu Dhabi International Airport (Abu Dhabi) to Erbil International Airport (Erbil)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the Persian Gulf coastline, the winding Tigris River, and the dramatic foothills of the Zagros Mountains upon approach to Erbil.
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Abu Dhabi Skyline
Stunning views of the Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid and Yas Island after departing AUH.
Persian Gulf Coast
The contrasting turquoise waters and industrial port facilities along the coastline of the UAE and Kuwait.
Kuwait City
A distant view of the Kuwait Towers and the urban sprawl of the capital city.
Tigris River Meanders
The ancient river twisting through the landscape, flanked by narrow strips of green vegetation.
Samarra
Possibility of spotting the distinctive spiral minaret (Malwiya Tower) if the path stays east of the river.
Zagros Mountains
Dramatic snow-capped peaks visible on the horizon to the east as the aircraft nears the Kurdistan region.
Choose the right side for morning flights to avoid direct sunlight and glare. This side provides the most iconic views of the Tigris River's complex loops. Keep an eye out for the contrast between the green riverbanks and the surrounding greyish-brown Iraqi plains.
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Saadiyat Island
Aerial view of Abu Dhabi's cultural district and luxury beaches shortly after takeoff.
An-Nafud Desert
Vast stretches of the Arabian desert showing intricate sand dune patterns.
Lake Tharthar
A massive artificial lake located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in central Iraq.
Mesopotamian Plains
The transition from arid desert to the fertile, irrigated agricultural heartland of Iraq.
Erbil Citadel
Potential views of the historic UNESCO World Heritage site during the final descent into Erbil.
Sit on the left for sunset views on afternoon flights, as the sun will descend over the Iraqi desert. This side is also better for seeing the sprawling suburban expansion of Erbil's western districts during the landing phase.
Get eSIMs for United Arab Emirates
Get eSIMs for IraqDistance: 1,663 km (1,033 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 13 min
Departure: AUH (24.433000564575195, 54.651100158691406)
Arrival: EBL (36.23759841918945, 43.96319961547852)
Route Type: International
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