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HME → IAM
Which side of the plane to sit from Oued Irara Airport (Hassi Messaoud) to In Aménas Airport (Zarzaitine)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides an exceptional vantage point of the Grand Erg Oriental's massive dune systems and the distinctive geological transition into the rocky Hamada de Tinrhert plateau as you approach the Libyan border.
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Hassi Messaoud Industrial Hub
Witness the extensive network of oil and gas infrastructure immediately after takeoff from Oued Irara.
Grand Erg Oriental
Traverse one of the Sahara's largest sand seas, featuring complex star dunes and longitudinal ridges.
Hamada de Tinrhert
Observe the stark shift from soft orange sands to the dark, windswept limestone and shale of the desert plateau.
Eastern Horizon
On morning flights, catch the high-contrast light defining the sharp crests of the dunes.
Choose an early morning flight for the best experience; the low sun angle creates dramatic shadows across the dune faces, making the topography much more visible. Look for the subtle color shifts from pale yellow to deep ochre as you head south. Keep your camera at a distance from the window to avoid heat-haze distortion from the desert air.
Get eSIMs for Algeria
Get eSIMs for Algeria
Geometric Oil Grids
View the symmetric patterns of desert roads and extraction sites carved into the sand south of Hassi Messaoud.
Shifting Dune Ridges
Direct views of the rolling sand formations that characterize the heart of the Algerian Sahara.
Ephemeral Oueds
Spot dry riverbeds that only flow during rare torrential rains, appearing as dark veins across the sand.
Tassili N'Ajjer Fringe
As you descend into In Aménas, look for the rugged, eroded sandstone foothills to the southwest.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to capture the golden hour glow on the sands. Use polarized sunglasses to cut through the intense desert glare and see the ground details more clearly. During the descent into IAM, watch for the sharp elevation changes as the desert floor rises toward the Zarzaitine plateau.
Book Hotels in ZarzaitineDistance: 525 km (326 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 53 min
Departure: HME (31.673000335700003, 6.140439987180001)
Arrival: IAM (28.0515, 9.64291)
Route Type: Domestic
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