RUH to JED: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Riyadh (RUH) to Jeddah (JED) is a 852 km (529 mi), roughly 1h 30m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime RUH to JED departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Left | Left | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Right | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Night |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not pick a clear side on this route. Go with the right side for shade, since the best scenery is on the left.
RUH to JED is a short westbound hop with views on the left, but the sun is also on the left. So the scenery does not decide it for you; the shade side does.
Takeoff
After takeoff from RUH, depending on the runway in use, the left side gets the better look as you climb out over ad-Dahna Desert.
En route
- 16m in← Leftad-Dahna Desert
About 15 minutes in, the left side looks out over ad-Dahna Desert. It is a broad, sandy stretch with a simple, open look from cruise altitude.
- 1h 20m in← LeftTa'if
Near 80 minutes in, Ta'if comes into view on the left as you start down. You see the city spread rather than a single landmark.
Landing
On descent into JED, depending on the runway in use, the left side picks up Mount Arafat and Jabal al-Nour first, then Jeddah close to landing. They sit to the left, and the approach is quick.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from RUH to JED?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on RUH to JED flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the right side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from RUH to JED?
The great-circle distance is 852 km (529 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 30m in the air on this westbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from RUH to JED?
Sit on the right for shade. The main views are on the left, but the sun is there too.
What can I see on this flight?
You get ad-Dahna Desert after takeoff, then Ta'if on descent. Near JED, Mount Arafat, Jabal al-Nour, and Jeddah appear on the left.