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SKD → LED
Which side of the plane to sit from Samarkand Airport (Samarkand) to Pulkovo Airport (St. Petersburg)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is generally superior for this route as it offers the most historically significant views of the receding Aral Sea basin and the most iconic aerial perspective of St. Petersburg's historic center upon approach.
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Samarkand Skyline
A glimpse of the Silk Road architecture and the Registan area immediately after takeoff from SKD.
Aral Sea Basin
A haunting view of the Aralkum Desert and the ship graveyards created by the receding waters of the Aral Sea.
Trans-Aral Railway
The thin line of the historic railway cutting through the vast, empty Kazakh steppe.
Valdai Hills
The elevated, lake-filled region that serves as the drainage divide for the Baltic and Caspian basins.
St. Petersburg Approach
Iconic views of the Neva River, the Peter and Paul Fortress, and the Gulf of Finland when landing from the east.
The right side is essential for viewing the Aral Sea remnants, which appear about 45-60 minutes after takeoff. During the descent into LED, this side often provides a stunning panorama of the city's historic center if the wind conditions favor an approach to the west.
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Ustyurt Plateau
Dramatic limestone cliffs and desert plateaus located in western Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Caspian Lowlands
The unique ecosystem of the Caspian depression, featuring salt flats and depressions below sea level.
Volgograd Region
Views of the industrial landscapes and the sprawling agricultural zones near the lower Volga River.
Lake Ilmen
A vast, shallow lake in the Novgorod region that was once part of the 'Route from the Varangians to the Greeks'.
Russian Taiga
The dense coniferous forests that dominate the landscape as the plane enters the northwestern regions.
The left side is preferable if you want to avoid direct glare from the sun during afternoon flights. It offers better views of the vast Russian agricultural heartland and the transition from arid steppe to deep northern forests.
Get eSIMs for Uzbekistan
Get eSIMs for RussiaDistance: 3,383 km (2,102 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 59 min
Departure: SKD (39.70050048828125, 66.98380279541016)
Arrival: LED (59.80030059814453, 30.26250076293945)
Route Type: International
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