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UUS destination photo
DME destination photo

UUSDME

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers the best lighting conditions for photography on this westbound flight, as it avoids the direct glare of the sun while showcasing the diverse landscapes of the Amur region and the Southern Urals.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🌊

Sea of Okhotsk

Stunning coastal views of Sakhalin's southern tip immediately following departure from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

🏞️

Amur River Basin

One of Asia's longest rivers winding through the dense taiga near the Russia-China border.

🏔️

Sayan Mountains

The southern horizon provides views of the rugged peaks and deep valleys of the South Siberian mountains.

💧

Yenisei River

The massive waterway that divides Western and Eastern Siberia, often appearing as a glittering silver thread.

⛰️

Southern Ural Range

The ancient, forested boundary between Asia and Europe featuring rounded peaks and deep green valleys.

🚤

Volga River

Russia's iconic river appears during the final hour of flight as you enter the densely populated European plains.

Book a window seat on the left to benefit from the sun being positioned behind or above the plane, which provides the best natural lighting for the Siberian landscape. About 3.5 hours into the flight, watch for the distant southern horizon for glimpses of the Sayan mountain range. In winter, the stark contrast between the black rivers and white snow is best viewed from this side.

Right Side Highlights
7.8
🌊

Tatar Strait

The narrow stretch of water separating Sakhalin Island from the Asian mainland.

❄️

Verkhoyansk Range

Vast, desolate, and snow-capped mountain systems in the Yakutia region, known as the 'Pole of Cold'.

🧊

Lena River Delta

Depending on the flight corridor, you may see the massive braided channels of the Lena River flowing north.

🌫️

West Siberian Plain

An incredibly flat and expansive region filled with endless wetlands and thousands of small lakes.

🏔️

Northern Urals

Sharp, tundra-covered ridges that mark the continental divide in the high north.

🏢

Moscow Ring Roads

The concentric circles of the Moscow metropolitan area as the plane descends into Domodedovo.

The right side faces the vastness of the Russian Arctic. While it offers dramatic views of the northern tundra, be aware that on afternoon flights, the sun can be quite intense on this side as you fly westward. Keep your window shade slightly down if the glare is too high, but keep an eye out for the unique patterns of the West Siberian swamps which are particularly mesmerizing at high altitudes.

Top Activities in Moscow
Route Information

Distance: 6,659 km (4,138 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 7 hrs 50 min

Departure: UUS (46.88869857788086, 142.71800231933594)

Arrival: DME (55.40879821777344, 37.90629959106445)

Route Type: Domestic

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