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OVB → ALA
Which side of the plane to sit from Tolmachevo Airport (Novosibirsk) to Almaty Airport (Alma-ata)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior vantage point for the Altai Mountains during the mid-flight phase and offers the most dramatic views of the towering Trans-Ili Alatau range as you approach Almaty.
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Ob River
View of the massive Siberian waterway winding south from Novosibirsk shortly after takeoff.
Altai Mountains
Distant snow-capped peaks of the Altai range visible to the southeast during the first half of the flight.
Lake Balkhash
The eastern reaches of this unique semi-freshwater lake visible across the Kazakh desert.
Ili River Valley
The lush green corridor of the Ili River as it flows toward the Kapchagay Reservoir.
Trans-Ili Alatau
A spectacular wall of 4,000-meter peaks that frame the southern border of Almaty during descent.
For the most vivid colors and clearest mountain visibility, opt for a morning flight to have the sun behind you. During the final 20 minutes of the flight, the transition from the flat Kazakh steppe to the vertical peaks of the Tian Shan system is exceptionally dramatic on this side.
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Novosibirsk Cityscape
A broad view of Russia's third-largest city and its industrial zones during departure.
Kulunda Steppe
The vast, patterned agricultural landscapes of the Altai Krai region near the Russian-Kazakh border.
Saryarka Steppe
The endless, undulating plains of Central Kazakhstan characterized by unique arid geological formations.
Kapchagay Reservoir
A massive artificial lake often reflecting a deep blue against the surrounding desert terrain.
Almaty Skyline
Views of the city's modern high-rises and the Esentai Tower as the plane aligns with the runway.
The right side is ideal for afternoon or evening flights to catch the sunset over the vast Kazakh horizon. If the plane approaches Almaty from the north and lands toward the west, you will get an excellent overview of the city's urban grid layout against the backdrop of the mountains.
Book Hotels in Alma-ataDistance: 1,358 km (844 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 49 min
Departure: OVB (55.012599945068, 82.650703430176)
Arrival: ALA (43.35210037231445, 77.04049682617188)
Route Type: International
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