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SVO → CEK
Which side of the plane to sit from Sheremetyevo International Airport (Moscow) to Chelyabinsk Balandino Airport (Chelyabinsk)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the vast Gorky Reservoir, the dense northern taiga, and the most dramatic northern slopes of the Ural Mountains during the descent.
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Moscow's Northern Green Belt
Aerial views of the Khimki Forest and northern suburbs immediately after takeoff from Sheremetyevo.
Gorky Reservoir
The massive expanse of the Volga River, often called the 'Gorky Sea,' visible north of Nizhny Novgorod.
Mari El Taiga
Endless stretches of dense coniferous forests and winding river systems in the Mari El Republic.
Kama River Crossing
A spectacular crossing of the wide Kama River near the industrial hub of Naberezhnye Chelny.
Central Ural Peaks
The transition from the East European Plain to the rugged, forested ridges of the Ural Mountains.
Sit on the left for the best views of the sunset if flying in the late afternoon, as the sun will be behind you. In winter, this side provides the most dramatic views of the snow-covered Ural forests and frozen reservoirs. Use the flight map to time your view of the Volga, which appears roughly 40 minutes after departure.
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Nizhny Novgorod
The historic city at the confluence of the Oka and Volga rivers is often visible to the south.
Kazan Skyline
Distant views of the Tatarstan capital and the white towers of its Kremlin depending on the specific air corridor.
Agricultural Heartland
The patchwork of large-scale farming plots across the fertile plains of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan.
Southern Ural Ridges
View the southern extensions of the Ural range, marking the geographic border between Europe and Asia.
Chelyabinsk Industrial Basin
The sprawling industrial landscape and lakes surrounding the city of Chelyabinsk during final approach.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid direct sunlight and glare. It provides better views of the major cities along the southern route. Keep an eye out for the industrial lakes near Chelyabinsk, which have unique colors and shapes due to the region's heavy mineral and industrial history.
Book Hotels in ChelyabinskDistance: 1,506 km (936 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs
Departure: SVO (55.972599, 37.4146)
Arrival: CEK (55.305801, 61.5033)
Route Type: Domestic
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