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KMG → CCU
Which side of the plane to sit from Kunming Changshui International Airport (Kunming) to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft offers a superior vantage point for viewing the distant snow-capped Eastern Himalayas and the massive Brahmaputra River system as you traverse from the Yunnan Plateau into the Indian subcontinent.
Eastern Himalayas
Distant but majestic views of the world's highest mountain range stretching along the northern horizon.
Yulong Snow Mountain
In the early stages of the flight, you may spot the distant, glaciated peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the north.
Brahmaputra River
The colossal river winding its way through the lush Assam valley of Northeast India.
Meghalaya Plateaus
The rolling green hills of the 'Abode of Clouds,' often shrouded in mist and home to some of the world's wettest places.
Dhaka Urban Sprawl
The dense, sprawling urban landscape of the Bangladeshi capital visible during the mid-flight segment.
A morning flight is highly recommended for the right side to ensure the best visibility of the Himalayan peaks before the afternoon haze or convective clouds develop. Use a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat distortion when photographing the distant mountains. Keep an eye out for Kanchenjunga as the plane approaches the West Bengal border.
Kunming Cityscape
Aerial views of the City of Eternal Spring and the bustling urban layout of Kunming shortly after takeoff.
Dianchi Lake
A massive freshwater lake south of Kunming, providing a beautiful blue contrast to the city's architecture.
Lancang River Gorges
The upper reaches of the Mekong River carving deep, dramatic paths through the high-altitude terrain.
Naga Hills
The rugged, forested border region between Myanmar and India, characterized by steep ridges.
Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta
The intricate, vein-like network of distributaries and green floodplains of southern Bangladesh.
Choose the left side for sunset flights to enjoy the golden hour reflecting off the myriad of rivers and ponds in the Bengal delta. During the monsoon, the cloud formations over the Naga Hills are particularly dramatic. Watch for the Sundarbans mangroves on a clear descent into Kolkata.
Distance: 1,497 km (930 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs
Departure: KMG (25.101944399999997, 102.9291667)
Arrival: CCU (22.654699325561523, 88.44670104980469)
Route Type: International
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