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SGC destination photo
FRU destination photo

SGCFRU

Which side of the plane to sit from Surgut Airport (Surgut) to Manas International Airport (Bishkek)?

Our Recommendation
8.2

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers a front-row seat to the winding Irtysh River and the dramatic, snow-capped transition into the 'Celestial Mountains' of the Tien Shan during the descent.

Left Side Highlights
8.2
🌊

Ob River Meanders

The massive, intricate loops of the Ob River visible immediately after departure from Surgut.

🌲

West Siberian Wetlands

A vast tapestry of taiga forests and marshy bogs that define the landscape of the Khanty-Mansi region.

💧

Irtysh River Valley

Dramatic views of the blue Irtysh river winding through the dry Kazakh steppe as you cross the border.

🏖️

Lake Balkhash (East View)

Distant views of the turquoise waters of Lake Balkhash, one of the largest lakes in Asia.

🏔️

Tien Shan Range

A spectacular panorama of the Trans-Ili Alatau and Northern Tien Shan peaks during the final approach.

For the best experience, choose an afternoon flight to ensure the sun is behind you, illuminating the mountains and river details perfectly. On clear days, the contrast between the flat steppe and the sudden verticality of the Kyrgyz mountains is most visible from this side.

Right Side Highlights
6.8
🏭

Surgut Industrial Hub

An aerial perspective of the massive power stations and oil infrastructure surrounding Surgut Airport.

🌾

Central Kazakh Steppe

Thousands of kilometers of open, golden grasslands stretching toward the horizon.

🏜️

Betpak-Dala Desert

The 'Hungry Steppe', a barren but colorful clay desert plateau visible in the latter half of the flight.

🚜

Agricultural Patterns

Geometric field patterns appearing as the flight nears the fertile Chu River valley.

⛰️

Kyrgyz Ala-Too Ridges

The rugged western edges of the Ala-Too mountains visible as the plane banks for its landing at Manas.

The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid direct sun glare. While the landscape is flatter for longer, it offers the best views of the vastness of the Kazakh interior and the industrial scale of the Siberian energy sector.

Top Activities in Bishkek
Route Information

Distance: 2,034 km (1,264 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 43 min

Departure: SGC (61.34370040893555, 73.40180206298828)

Arrival: FRU (43.0612983704, 74.4776000977)

Route Type: International

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