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IKA → URC
Which side of the plane to sit from Imam Khomeini International Airport (Tehran) to Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (Urumqi)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior vantage point for the dramatic tectonic landscapes of Central Asia, including the salt deserts of Iran, the high-altitude Pamir peaks, and the spectacular descent over the Tianshan Mountains.
Search flights from IKA to URC
Dasht-e Kavir
The Great Salt Desert of Iran features mesmerising salt crusts and swirling geological patterns.
Kopet Dag Range
Rugged, jagged ridges that form the natural border between Iran and the Turkmenistan plains.
Pamir-Alay Range
Spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and deep valleys as the flight skirts the 'Roof of the World'.
Tianshan Mountains
Breathtaking glaciers and high-altitude lakes as you cross the 'Heavenly Mountains' into China.
Taklamakan Fringe
The northern edge of the massive sand desert is visible as the plane enters the Xinjiang region.
The right side is essential for the Tianshan crossing. For the most dramatic lighting on the glaciers and peaks, afternoon flights are best. Avoid seats directly over the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the deep mountain valleys during the descent into Urumqi.
Book Hotels in UrumqiMount Damavand
The iconic volcanic cone and highest peak in the Middle East is visible shortly after departure from Tehran.
Caspian Sea Coastline
Glimpses of the lush, green southern shores of the Caspian Sea contrast sharply with the surrounding arid terrain.
Karakum Desert
The 'Black Sands' of Turkmenistan present a vast, rippling landscape of dunes stretching toward the horizon.
Amu Darya River
A vital waterway winding through the desert, marking the ancient borders of Transoxiana.
Tashkent Basin
View the agricultural green belts and urban sprawl of the Uzbek capital from a distance.
Choose the left side for morning departures to have the sun behind you, providing the best lighting for photographing Mount Damavand and the Karakum dunes. Keep your camera ready in the first 20 minutes of flight for the best mountain views.
Get eSIMs for Iran
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 3,220 km (2,001 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 47 min
Departure: IKA (35.416099548339844, 51.152198791503906)
Arrival: URC (43.90710067749024, 87.47419738769531)
Route Type: International
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