On a clear day, the best side to sit on a Gilgit or Skardu flight is whichever side faces Nanga Parbat, and which side that is depends on the direction you are flying and which of the two routes you are on. Both flights pass close to the mountain not long after takeoff or before landing, and the difference between a window seat on the right side and one on the wrong side is the difference between a proper view and a wing.
Islamabad to Skardu
Flying north from Islamabad to Skardu, Nanga Parbat appears on the right-hand side of the aircraft, so a window seat on the right gives the clearest view as the flight passes the mountain. On the return leg from Skardu to Islamabad, the aircraft is effectively flying the same route in reverse, so the mountain comes up on the left-hand side instead.
This route is flown with an Airbus A320, a jet with a larger cabin than the smaller aircraft once used here, so there is a proper row of window seats on each side to choose from when booking.
Islamabad to Gilgit
The Gilgit route follows a similar corridor, past the Kaghan valley and close to Nanga Parbat, before turning into the Gilgit valley for landing. Flying from Gilgit back to Islamabad, passengers on the left-hand side get the better view of the mountain and of landmarks along the way such as Babusar Top, Lulusar Lake and Saif ul Malook, which the flight passes in roughly the reverse order of a road trip up the Karakoram Highway. On the outbound Islamabad to Gilgit leg, the same logic in reverse puts the better view on the right-hand side.
Gilgit's airport sits in terrain too tight for a jet, so this route is flown with a smaller ATR42 turboprop rather than the A320 used to Skardu. That means fewer seats overall and a lower, closer view of the mountains on the approach, which many travellers find more dramatic than the higher-altitude jet flight to Skardu.
Quick reference
| Route | Better side for Nanga Parbat |
|---|---|
| Islamabad → Skardu | Right |
| Skardu → Islamabad | Left |
| Islamabad → Gilgit | Right |
| Gilgit → Islamabad | Left |
Why this only works some of the time
Weather is the real deciding factor, not seat choice. Both routes fly through mountainous terrain on visual approach, which means flights are frequently delayed, diverted or cancelled when cloud sits over the valleys, and a clear day can turn hazy by the time you board. Choosing the right side of the plane is worth doing, but it is not a guarantee of a view; our guide to Gilgit and Skardu flight cancellations covers what to do if the weather does not cooperate.
Tips for getting the view
- Book early and check your seat map when checking in online; window seats on the correct side go first on a clear-forecast day.
- Morning flights generally have better visibility, since cloud tends to build over the mountains as the day warms.
- Keep your camera or phone ready before takeoff. The best views often come in the first or last fifteen minutes of the flight, not the middle.
- Don't fixate only on Nanga Parbat. Both routes pass a wide sweep of Karakoram and Himalayan peaks, and there is something worth seeing from either side on a genuinely clear day.
Is the flight worth it over the road?
For the view alone, yes, if the weather holds: an hour in the air shows more of the Karakoram than two days of driving ever could. It is also far faster than the road, which takes most of a day or two depending on the route. The trade-off is reliability. If your dates are fixed and you cannot afford a delay, build a spare day into your plan either way, since both flights depend entirely on the weather.
Frequently asked questions
Which side should I sit on flying Islamabad to Skardu?
The right side gives the better view of Nanga Parbat on the outbound flight. Coming back from Skardu, switch to the left side for the same view in reverse.
Which side should I sit on flying Islamabad to Gilgit?
The right side is better outbound to Gilgit, and the left side is better on the return flight to Islamabad, following the same logic as the Skardu route.
What aircraft flies to Gilgit and Skardu?
Skardu is served by Airbus A320 jets. Gilgit's runway and surrounding terrain mean it is served by smaller ATR42 turboprops instead.
Is the mountain view guaranteed?
No. Both flights operate on visual approach through mountainous terrain, so cloud cover regularly blocks the view and can cause delays or cancellations regardless of which seat you choose.
Is it better to fly or drive to see Nanga Parbat?
Flying gives a wide, fast aerial view if the weather is clear; driving the Karakoram Highway gives a slower, ground-level view that does not depend on flight schedules. Many travellers do one leg each way for both perspectives.
