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ORN → MED
Which side of the plane to sit from Es Senia Airport (Oran) to Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport (Madinah)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a more dramatic geographic transition, featuring the rugged Atlas Mountains, the vast Saharan sand seas, and a better angle for spotting the Giza Pyramids and the volcanic landscapes of the Hejaz.
Saharan Atlas
The dramatic southern edge of the Atlas range where mountains meet the start of the Sahara desert.
Great Oriental Erg
Massive, undulating orange sand dunes stretching endlessly across the Tunisian and Libyan borders.
Pyramids of Giza
On clear days with a southerly routing, the Giza plateau and its iconic structures are visible near Cairo.
Gulf of Suez
A stunning view of the narrow strip of water separating the African continent from the Sinai Peninsula.
Hejaz Volcanic Fields
The dark, basaltic rock formations and ancient volcanic cones surrounding the approach into Madinah.
The right side is superior for sunset flights, as the Saharan dunes and Hejaz mountains catch the golden hour light beautifully. Keep your window shade open about 3.5 to 4 hours into the flight to spot the Nile and Cairo area. Use a polarizing filter if photographing to cut through atmospheric haze over the desert.
Mediterranean Shoreline
Aerial views of the turquoise coastline stretching from Oran toward the Gulf of Tunis.
Nile Delta
The sharp, incredible contrast where the lush green vegetation of the Delta meets the barren desert.
Suez Canal Entrance
Look for the cluster of cargo ships waiting near Port Said to enter the world's most famous shortcut.
Sinai Mountains
Rugged, high-altitude terrain of the northern Sinai Peninsula, often glowing in red hues.
Red Sea Crossing
Clear views of the deep blue waters and coral reef systems as you transition into Saudi airspace.
Choose the left side for morning departures to have the sun behind you, providing better lighting for photography of the Nile Delta. It is also the best side for viewing the Mediterranean coastline during the first half of the trip.
Distance: 4,039 km (2,510 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 45 min
Departure: ORN (35.6239013672, -0.6211829781529999)
Arrival: MED (24.5534, 39.705101)
Route Type: International
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