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ZRH destination photo
ICN destination photo

ZRHICN

Which side of the plane to sit from Zürich Airport (Zurich) to Incheon International Airport (Seoul)?

Our Recommendation
8.7

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers consistent lighting and superior views of the vast Gobi Desert and the northern slopes of the Caucasus range without the harsh glare of the southern sun.

Left Side Highlights
8.7
🌲

Black Forest

Aerial views of the dense, rolling woodlands of Southern Germany shortly after departure from Zurich.

🌊

Black Sea North Coast

A vast expanse of deep blue water as the flight transitions from Eastern Europe into Western Asia.

🏔️

Greater Caucasus Range

Dramatic views of the northern slopes of these rugged peaks, forming the natural border between Europe and Asia.

💧

Caspian Sea

The northern basin of the world's largest inland body of water, showing unique salt flats and coastal patterns.

🏜️

Gobi Desert

Massive stretches of orange dunes and rocky plains across Southern Mongolia and Northern China.

🇰🇷

Yellow Sea Islands

The intricate archipelago and mudflats of the Korean West Sea during the final descent into Incheon.

The left side (Seat A) is ideal for photography because it avoids direct sunlight for the majority of the eastbound flight. Expect the best lighting over Central Asia. Keep your window shade open as you cross the Mongolian border to catch the Gobi Desert's color shifts during the transition from dawn to morning light.

Right Side Highlights
8.2
🏔️

Swiss Alps

Immediate, breathtaking views of the snow-capped Glarus Alps right after takeoff from Zurich.

💧

Lake Constance

A massive shimmering lake shared by Switzerland, Germany, and Austria visible in the first 15 minutes.

🏔️

Mount Elbrus

If on a southern track, look for the twin peaks of the highest mountain in Europe standing above the Caucasus.

🏔️

Tian Shan Mountains

Also known as the Celestial Mountains, featuring high-altitude glaciers and jagged limestone peaks.

🏙️

Seoul Cityscape

Distant views of the sprawling Seoul metropolis and the Han River if the approach path comes from the west.

🌉

Incheon Bridge

One of the world's longest cable-stayed bridges, stretching across the sea as you touch down.

Choose the right side (Seat K/L) specifically for the first 20 minutes of flight to see the Swiss Alps in their full glory. Be aware that as the flight progresses east, the sun will rise on this side, which may cause significant glare and heat during the mid-flight crossing of China.

Top Activities in Seoul
Route Information

Distance: 8,743 km (5,433 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 10 hrs 17 min

Departure: ZRH (47.464699, 8.54917)

Arrival: ICN (37.46910095214844, 126.45099639892578)

Route Type: International

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