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MHD → ZAH
Which side of the plane to sit from Mashhad International Airport (Mashhad) to Zahedan International Airport (Zahedan)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic geological diversity, featuring the rugged border mountains, the vast Sistan basin, and a prime view of the semi-active Taftan volcano during the descent.
Search flights from MHD to ZAH
Mashhad Metropolis
Aerial view of Iran's second-largest city and the golden dome of the Imam Reza Shrine visible shortly after takeoff.
Kuh-e-Ahangaran
Dramatic jagged peaks of the eastern mountain ranges that define the border between Iran and Afghanistan.
Sistan Basin
A vast, low-lying endorheic basin characterized by pale salt flats and the remnants of the Hamun wetlands.
Mount Taftan
The only active volcano in Iran, featuring a snow-dusted peak and sulfurous vents visible during the approach to Zahedan.
Border Landscape
Unique perspective of the international border line marked by distinct changes in road networks and settlement patterns.
Book a window seat on the left for morning flights to avoid direct sun glare while capturing the shadows on the mountain ridges. Watch closely during the final 20 minutes of the flight for the silhouette of Mount Taftan to the south-east. Visibility is highest in late autumn and winter when the dust from the '120-day winds' has settled.
Get eSIMs for Iran
Get eSIMs for IranDasht-e Lut Edge
The eastern fringes of the Lut Desert, known for being one of the hottest places on Earth with its deep orange sands.
Birjand City
The historic 'City of Pines' appears as a concentrated green and tan oasis amidst the surrounding arid plateau.
Desert Yardangs
Massive wind-sculpted rock formations and ridges that create a ribbed appearance on the desert floor.
Shahr-e Sukhteh Vicinity
Flight paths often pass near the 'Burnt City,' an archaeological site representing one of the world's oldest urban civilizations.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to witness the sunset over the Lut Desert. Look for the ancient 'Qanat' irrigation lines—small circular mounds in the sand—which are particularly visible from high altitudes over the Khorasan plateau. Be aware that summer flights may encounter haze, making the desert features appear less distinct.
Book Hotels in ZahedanDistance: 761 km (473 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 16 min
Departure: MHD (36.235198974609375, 59.64099884033203)
Arrival: ZAH (29.47570037841797, 60.90620040893555)
Route Type: Domestic
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