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CAI → PEK
Which side of the plane to sit from Cairo International Airport (Cairo) to Beijing Capital International Airport (Beijing)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most consistent and dramatic scenery, featuring the transition from the Mediterranean coast to the majestic snow-capped Tian Shan mountains and the northern shores of the Caspian Sea.
Nile Delta
View the sharp contrast between the vibrant green agricultural lands of the Nile and the surrounding desert immediately after takeoff.
Caspian Sea
The northern coastline of the world's largest inland body of water, often appearing in striking turquoise hues near the shore.
Tian Shan Range
The 'Heavenly Mountains' offer spectacular views of jagged, snow-covered peaks stretching across the horizon for nearly an hour.
Kazakh Steppes
A vast expanse of golden grasslands and unique geological depressions that showcase the scale of Central Asia.
Beijing Suburbs
As the plane descends, enjoy views of the sprawling urban development and the mountainous terrain north of the capital.
Choosing the left side avoids the harsh southern sun glare during daytime flights from west to east. It is particularly scenic during the middle of the flight when passing over Kyrgyzstan and Western China. For night flights, look for the illuminated gas flares in the Caspian region and the dense city lights of Tashkent and Almaty.
Sinai Peninsula
Look down at the rugged, red-rock mountains and the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Aqaba shortly after departure.
Zagros Mountains
Incredible geological folds and high-altitude plateaus of Iran that look like a crumpled piece of brown paper.
Taklamakan Desert
The 'Sea of Death' features massive, shifting sand dunes and the remote oasis towns along the ancient Silk Road.
Kunlun Mountains
The formidable peaks marking the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau are often visible in the distance to the south.
Gobi Desert
Harsh, rocky landscapes and massive sand basins as you approach the final leg toward Beijing.
The right side is the best for desert enthusiasts, providing views of the legendary Taklamakan. Be aware that the sun will be on this side of the aircraft for the majority of a daytime flight, which can make the cabin hot and photography difficult due to glare. Keep your window shade down when not viewing to stay cool.
Distance: 7,533 km (4,681 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 8 hrs 52 min
Departure: CAI (30.12190055847168, 31.40559959411621)
Arrival: PEK (40.0801010131836, 116.58499908447266)
Route Type: International
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