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AUH → RUH
Which side of the plane to sit from Abu Dhabi International Airport (Abu Dhabi) to King Khaled International Airport (Riyadh)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers unparalleled views of Abu Dhabi's iconic landmarks immediately after takeoff, followed by the mesmerizing rolling red dunes of the Liwa Oasis and the Rub' al Khali desert.
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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
A stunning aerial view of the white marble domes and minarets shortly after departing AUH.
Yas Island
The bright red roof of Ferrari World and the Yas Marina Circuit are visible during the initial climb.
Liwa Oasis
The northern edge of the Empty Quarter featuring massive crescent-shaped dunes and small green palm groves.
Circular Farms
Distinctive green center-pivot irrigation circles contrasting sharply against the beige Saudi desert sands.
Wadi Hanifa
The winding green valley that cuts through the arid landscape of Riyadh during the final approach.
Sit on the left for the best chance to see the Grand Mosque during departure. For afternoon flights, the sun will be behind you, providing excellent lighting for photos of the desert dunes. The transition from the urban UAE landscape to the vast emptiness of the Rub' al Khali is the highlight of this side.
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Persian Gulf Coast
Beautiful turquoise waters and intricate mangrove forests near the Abu Dhabi shoreline.
Sabkha Matti
Vast, shimmering salt flats located near the UAE-Saudi border that create a unique cracked-earth pattern.
Ruwais Industrial Zone
Large-scale oil and gas infrastructure and coastal shipping lanes visible as you track west.
KAFD Skyline
The futuristic skyscrapers of the King Abdullah Financial District as the plane aligns for landing at RUH.
King Khaled Terminals
The iconic triangular, interconnected roof structures of the Riyadh airport during the descent.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid direct glare. It provides a better view of the northern Riyadh skyline, including the Kingdom Centre in the distance, if the flight path approaches from the northeast. Watch for the stark contrast between the white salt flats and the orange desert sands.
Book Hotels in RiyadhDistance: 805 km (500 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 21 min
Departure: AUH (24.433000564575195, 54.651100158691406)
Arrival: RUH (24.957599639892575, 46.69879913330078)
Route Type: International
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