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NBO → ICN
Which side of the plane to sit from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi) to Incheon International Airport (Seoul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more diverse range of geographic features, including the dramatic Ethiopian Highlands shortly after departure and the rugged mountain terrain of central China during the descent phase.
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Ethiopian Highlands
Stunning views of the 'Roof of Africa' with its jagged peaks and deep plateaus shortly after clearing Kenyan airspace.
Mumbai & Western Ghats
Distal views of the sprawling Indian coastline and the silhouette of the Western Ghats mountain range.
Yangtze River
As the flight crosses into China, the massive winding path of the Yangtze River is often visible through the clouds.
Qinling Mountains
A major east-west mountain range in China that provides a dramatic landscape of ridges and valleys.
Yellow Sea Sunrise
On typical overnight schedules, the sun rises over the horizon as the plane crosses from China toward Korea.
Book a seat forward of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the Ethiopian Highlands during the first two hours. Since most flights from Nairobi to Seoul are overnight, the left side provides the best sunrise views over the Yellow Sea. During the winter months, look for snow-capped peaks across the Chinese interior.
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Kenyan Coastline
Occasional views of the turquoise waters near the Horn of Africa depending on the specific departure corridor.
Arabian Sea Transit
Vast ocean vistas with potential sightings of heavy maritime traffic in the shipping lanes between Africa and India.
Andaman Sea Islands
If the flight path tracks south of the Himalayas, look for the lush green islands dotting the Bay of Bengal.
East China Megacities
At night, the massive light clusters of Shanghai and Ningbo can be seen to the south during the final cruise leg.
Incheon Archipelago
A beautiful view of the hundreds of small islands in the Yellow Sea during the final descent into ICN.
The right side is particularly rewarding during the final 30 minutes of the flight. As the plane descends into Incheon, the aircraft often maneuvers over the Yeongjong Island area, offering fantastic views of the Korean archipelago and the Incheon Bridge. Use a polarising filter for photos to cut through the haze often present over the Yellow Sea.
Book Hotels in SeoulDistance: 10,055 km (6,248 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 11 hrs 50 min
Departure: NBO (-1.31923997402, 36.9277992249)
Arrival: ICN (37.46910095214844, 126.45099639892578)
Route Type: International
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