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LED → FRU
Which side of the plane to sit from Pulkovo Airport (St. Petersburg) to Manas International Airport (Bishkek)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers the most dramatic views of the Ala-Too mountain range during the final descent into Bishkek and glimpses of the Aral Sea basin earlier in the flight.
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St. Petersburg Departure
If departing to the south, look for the Neva River and the geometric layout of the 'Northern Capital'.
Aral Sea Basin
The desolate, hauntingly beautiful salt flats and remnants of the Aral Sea visible in western Kazakhstan.
Syr Darya River
The winding lifeline of the desert, appearing as a green ribbon through the dry landscape.
Kyrgyz Ala-Too Range
Stunning, close-up views of the snow-capped 4,000m+ peaks that tower over Bishkek.
Bishkek Approach
A clear view of the city layout and the dramatic contrast between the urban grid and the rising mountains.
The right side is the clear winner for the arrival phase. As the plane descends into Manas Airport, the mountains will be prominently visible out of the right windows. During evening flights, this side catches the golden hour light on the Tien Shan peaks, though you may face some glare earlier in the flight.
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Volga River Crossing
Aerial view of Russia's longest river as the flight path crosses the Samara or Saratov regions.
Kazakh Steppe
Vast, seemingly endless horizons of the Central Asian steppe featuring unique circular irrigation patterns.
Lake Balkhash
On the horizon to the east, the large crescent-shaped lake can sometimes be spotted in clear conditions.
Northern Tien Shan
Distant views of the Trans-Ili Alatau peaks as the aircraft nears the Kyrgyz border.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid direct sunlight and glare while photographing the Russian landscape. It provides a better angle if the flight path tracks further east toward Lake Balkhash. Keep an eye out for the transition from the lush Russian plains to the arid Kazakh desert.
Get eSIMs for Russia
Get eSIMs for KyrgyzstanDistance: 3,492 km (2,170 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 6 min
Departure: LED (59.80030059814453, 30.26250076293945)
Arrival: FRU (43.0612983704, 74.4776000977)
Route Type: International
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