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FRU → ALA
Which side of the plane to sit from Manas International Airport (Bishkek) to Almaty Airport (Alma-ata)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side offers a spectacular, continuous view of the towering Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, part of the northern Tien Shan range, which separates Bishkek and Almaty.
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Trans-Ili Alatau
Stunning views of the massive, snow-capped peaks that dominate the horizon between the two cities.
Peak Talgar
The highest peak of the range, standing at nearly 5,000 meters, visible on the approach to Almaty.
Tien Shan Slopes
Dense evergreen forests and alpine meadows clinging to the northern ridges of the mountain range.
Shymbulak Area
On clear days, you may spot the high-altitude valleys near the famous Medeu and Shymbulak resorts.
Almaty Mountain Backdrop
A breathtaking view of Almaty city nestled directly at the foot of the massive mountain walls.
This is the essential side for this short hop. Sit on the right to see the dramatic Tien Shan mountains. For the best photography, choose a morning flight when the sun illuminates the north-facing slopes. In winter, the entire range is draped in white, offering one of the most scenic short-haul views in Central Asia.
Book Hotels in Alma-ataBishkek Skyline
A clear view of the Kyrgyz capital and its Soviet-era grid layout immediately after takeoff from Manas.
Chuy Valley
The fertile agricultural basin that serves as the heartland for northern Kyrgyzstan.
Chu River
The meandering river that defines much of the international border between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Kazakh Steppe
The vast, flat horizons of the Kazakh plains stretching northward toward the horizon.
Almaty Suburbs
The residential expansion of Almaty as the flight lines up for its final approach.
The left side is best for morning flights to avoid the harsh southern sun. It provides a better sense of the scale of the Kazakh plains, but lacks the dramatic vertical relief of the southern side. Choose this side if you want to see the layout of Bishkek shortly after departure.
Get eSIMs for Kyrgyzstan
Get eSIMs for KazakhstanDistance: 210 km (130 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 21 min
Departure: FRU (43.0612983704, 74.4776000977)
Arrival: ALA (43.35210037231445, 77.04049682617188)
Route Type: International
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