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CIT → DME
Which side of the plane to sit from Shymkent Airport (Chimkent) to Domodedovo International Airport (Moscow)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the shrinking Aral Sea remnants and the dramatic green landscapes of the Volga River basin as you transition from the Kazakh desert to the Russian heartland.
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Kyzylkum Desert
Vast red sand dunes and arid landscapes visible shortly after departing Shymkent.
Aral Sea Basin
The hauntingly beautiful salt flats and receding waters of the North Aral Sea basin.
Volgograd
Aerial perspective of the 'Hero City' and the massive Volga River artery.
Ryazan
Historic Russian urban architecture and the Oka River visible during the final approach phase.
Choose a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat distortion. For morning flights, the left side is shaded, providing better visibility of the Aral Sea salt pans. Keep your camera ready approximately 50 to 70 minutes into the flight for the most dramatic desert-to-sea contrasts.
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Central Kazakh Steppe
A rhythmic landscape of endless plains and unique seasonal salt lakes.
Ural River Boundary
Spot the winding river that serves as the geographical border between the continents of Asia and Europe.
Samara Bend
A dramatic 180-degree loop of the Volga River wrapping around the Zhiguli Mountains.
Meshchera Lowlands
Dense boreal forests and peat bogs characteristic of the approach into the Moscow region.
The right side is excellent for afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. Watch for the Samara Bend roughly two-thirds of the way through the journey. Seasonal snow cover in winter makes the steppe geometric patterns particularly striking from 30,000 feet.
Book Hotels in MoscowDistance: 2,691 km (1,672 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 35 min
Departure: CIT (42.364200592041016, 69.47889709472656)
Arrival: DME (55.40879821777344, 37.90629959106445)
Route Type: International
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