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MHD → LHE
Which side of the plane to sit from Mashhad International Airport (Mashhad) to Alama Iqbal International Airport (Lahore)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a front-row seat to the dramatic Central Afghan Highlands and the northern stretches of the Indus River, offering more diverse topographic features compared to the southern deserts.
Kopet Dag Mountains
Rugged limestone ridges visible shortly after takeoff from Mashhad, marking the border zone near Turkmenistan.
Central Afghan Highlands
An endless expanse of brown and gray peaks, which are often capped with snow during winter and spring.
Hari River Valley
A sliver of green vegetation cutting through the arid terrain near the historic city of Herat.
Indus River Basin
The massive, braided channels of the Indus River as the flight transitions into Pakistani airspace.
Lahore Urban Sprawl
The dense, vibrant landscape of the 'City of Gardens' during the descent into Alama Iqbal International.
Book a window seat on the left for morning flights to keep the sun behind the aircraft, enhancing the visibility of the Afghan peaks. During winter (December-February), the snow cover on the highlands creates a stunning high-contrast landscape. Look for the distinct change in color from the dry Afghan soil to the lush green of the Punjab plains as you cross the border.
Dasht-e Lut Fringes
The eastern edges of the Iranian plateau, featuring extreme desert topography and salt-crusted basins.
Registan Desert
A vast, red-sand desert region in southern Afghanistan characterized by longitudinal dunes and desolate beauty.
Sulaiman Range
Unique, parallel mountain ridges that rise sharply from the Indus plains in western Pakistan.
Punjab Farmlands
A geometric patchwork of agricultural fields that represent the core of Pakistan's farming heartland.
Chenab River
A major river crossing visible just before arrival, often shimmering under the afternoon sunlight.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to avoid glare while viewing the Sulaiman Range. Keep an eye out for 'Karez' irrigation systems—ancient underground water channels—visible as lines of small holes in the desert floor of southern Afghanistan. Be aware that dust storms can sometimes obscure views over the desert regions during the peak summer months of June through August.
Distance: 1,458 km (906 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 57 min
Departure: MHD (36.235198974609375, 59.64099884033203)
Arrival: LHE (31.5216007232666, 74.40360260009766)
Route Type: International
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