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RUH → ABT
Which side of the plane to sit from King Khaled International Airport (Riyadh) to Al Baha Airport (El-baha)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a front-row seat to the dramatic Tuwaiq Escarpment shortly after takeoff and provides the most spectacular views of the Sarawat Mountains and the Tihama foothills during the approach into Al Baha.
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Tuwaiq Escarpment
The 'Edge of the World' limestone cliffs that rise dramatically from the desert floor.
Red Sands
Deep orange dunes located southwest of Riyadh, particularly striking during late afternoon.
Shada Mountains
Unique granite formations and high-altitude peaks as you cross into the Al Baha region.
Agricultural Terraces
Ancient stone-walled terraces carved into the mountainsides for traditional farming.
Al Baha Cityscape
A view of the high-altitude city perched on the ridges of the Sarawat range during landing.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to avoid direct sun glare while capturing the golden hour light hitting the mountain faces. Request a seat forward of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the Tuwaiq cliffs roughly 15-20 minutes after takeoff. As the plane descends into ABT, look for the traditional stone towers (qala'as) visible on the ridges.
Book Hotels in El-bahaRiyadh Suburbs
Expansive views of the capital's rapid urban expansion and geometric residential grids.
Al-Kharj Circles
View the distinct circular irrigation patterns of large-scale desert agriculture projects south of Riyadh.
Ad-Dahna Desert
Golden longitudinal dunes that characterize the central Saudi Arabian landscape.
Southern Sarawat
The rising elevation of the granite peaks as the aircraft nears the highland region.
Choose the left side for morning flights to enjoy the desert scenery illuminated by the eastern sun. Keep an eye out for the green patches of circular farms which provide a sharp contrast to the beige desert. During the final descent, this side offers views of the smaller mountain villages scattered throughout the valleys.
Get eSIMs for Saudi Arabia
Get eSIMs for Saudi ArabiaDistance: 734 km (456 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 13 min
Departure: RUH (24.957599639892575, 46.69879913330078)
Arrival: ABT (20.2961006165, 41.6343002319)
Route Type: Domestic
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