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BEJ → BPN
Which side of the plane to sit from Kalimarau Airport (Tanjung Redep-Borneo Island) to Sultan Aji Muhamad Sulaiman Airport (Balikpapan)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a more dramatic contrast between the pristine tropical rainforests of Borneo and the massive scale of open-pit coal mining operations that define East Kalimantan's landscape.
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Borneo Canopy
Continuous stretches of dense tropical greenery and primary rainforest characteristic of the island's interior.
Open-Pit Mines
Colossal terraced craters and industrial infrastructure that show the sheer scale of the region's mining industry.
Kelay River Curves
Dramatic S-curves of the brown sediment-heavy rivers snaking through the flat jungle terrain.
IKN Development
Depending on the flight path, glimpses of the initial construction and infrastructure for Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara.
The right side is superior for afternoon flights as the sun will be behind you, reducing glare and revealing the deep textures of the forest and mines. Keep your camera ready about mid-flight for the most impressive mining vistas. This side provides a clearer view of the inland topography as you head south.
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Berau River Delta
An intricate network of sediment-rich waterways fanning out into the Celebes Sea shortly after takeoff.
Sangkulirang Karst
Distal views of the ancient limestone cliff formations which house prehistoric cave paintings.
Makassar Strait
The deep blue waters of the maritime corridor filled with massive coal barges and oil tankers.
Balikpapan Bay
The industrial heart of the city featuring the Pertamina refinery and bustling port activity upon descent.
Sit on the left for morning flights to witness the sunrise over the Makassar Strait. During the final approach into BPN, look for the massive tankers anchored in the bay. Use a polarising filter for photos to cut through the coastal haze.
Get eSIMs for Indonesia
Get eSIMs for IndonesiaDistance: 385 km (239 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 39 min
Departure: BEJ (2.1555, 117.431999)
Arrival: BPN (-1.2682700157200002, 116.893997192)
Route Type: Domestic
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