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RUH → DOH
Which side of the plane to sit from King Khaled International Airport (Riyadh) to Hamad International Airport (Doha)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is superior for this short hop, primarily for the spectacular approach into Doha. As the plane descends from the west, passengers on the left often get a panoramic view of the Lusail iconic buildings, the Pearl-Qatar, and the stunning West Bay skyline before touching down at Hamad International Airport.
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Riyadh Northern Suburbs
View the rapid urban expansion and modern architectural layouts of northern Riyadh immediately after takeoff.
Ad-Dahna Desert
Cross the distinctive reddish sand dunes of the Ad-Dahna desert, which connects the Great Nefud and the Rub' al Khali.
Lusail Stadium
On approach, spot the golden bowl of the Lusail Stadium, a landmark of the 2022 World Cup.
The Pearl-Qatar
Get a bird's-eye view of the intricate man-made islands, luxury marinas, and Mediterranean-style towers.
Doha West Bay Skyline
The dense cluster of uniquely shaped skyscrapers along the Doha Corniche is most visible from the left during standard landing patterns.
Book a window seat on the left for evening flights to see the dazzling lights of the Doha skyline. During the day, the contrast between the red Saudi dunes and the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf is striking. Landing patterns usually favor the left side for city views, but keep an eye out for the Qatar National Museum's 'Desert Rose' structure as you get closer to the ground.
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Al-Ahsa Oasis
Fly over the world's largest self-contained oasis, featuring millions of date palms and historic springs.
Ghawar Oil Field
Look down upon the world's largest conventional onshore oil field, marked by industrial grids and infrastructure.
Salwa Bay
Witness the narrow body of water separating the Saudi mainland from the southwestern coast of the Qatar peninsula.
Mesaieed Industrial City
See the massive scale of Qatar's energy industry and the expansive Hamad Port during the final descent.
The right side offers a fascinating look at the scale of the Saudi energy industry and the lush Al-Ahsa greenery. If the flight path takes a southerly route around Doha, you might glimpse the 'Inland Sea' (Khawr al Udayd). Choose this side if you prefer industrial and natural landscapes over urban skylines. Afternoon flights on this side can be quite sunny, so keep your shades ready.
Book Hotels in DohaDistance: 495 km (308 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 50 min
Departure: RUH (24.957599639892575, 46.69879913330078)
Arrival: DOH (25.273056, 51.608056)
Route Type: International
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