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LED → ALA
Which side of the plane to sit from Pulkovo Airport (St. Petersburg) to Almaty Airport (Alma-ata)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior visual experience, featuring the initial departure views of the Gulf of Finland, the stark beauty of the Aral Sea basin, and a spectacular close-up of the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains during the descent into Almaty.
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St. Petersburg & Gulf
Excellent views of the Neva delta and the Gulf of Finland immediately after departure.
Ustyurt Plateau
A high-altitude desert landscape featuring dramatic chalk escarpments and canyons.
Aral Sea Basin
The hauntingly beautiful remains of the North Aral Sea and the vast salt flats.
Syr Darya River
The lifeblood of the region, visible as a winding green ribbon cutting through the desert.
Trans-Ili Alatau
The majestic, glacier-topped peaks of the Tian Shan range appearing during the approach.
The right side is essential for the arrival into Almaty. As the plane descends, the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains rise sharply to nearly 5,000 meters, providing one of the most scenic approaches in Central Asia. For evening flights, you will also witness a stunning sunset over the Kyzylkum Desert. Request a window seat away from the wing to fully capture the mountain verticality.
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Lake Ladoga
Shortly after takeoff, view the southern shores of Europe's largest freshwater lake.
The Volga Bend
Midway through the flight, look for the dramatic 180-degree loop of the Volga River near Samara.
Southern Ural Foothills
Ancient, rolling forested hills marking the border between Europe and Asia.
Central Kazakh Steppe
Vast, seemingly infinite golden grasslands that define the heart of Eurasia.
Lake Balkhash
In the distance, the unique crescent-shaped lake with contrasting fresh and saline water.
Sit on the left for softer lighting during morning departures from St. Petersburg. It is the better side for capturing the expansive scale of the Russian river systems and the transition from forest to steppe. If it is an overnight flight, this side provides the first glimpse of the sunrise over the Kazakh horizon.
Get eSIMs for Russia
Get eSIMs for KazakhstanDistance: 3,609 km (2,243 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 15 min
Departure: LED (59.80030059814453, 30.26250076293945)
Arrival: ALA (43.35210037231445, 77.04049682617188)
Route Type: International
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