Flying into Srinagar from Delhi, take a window on the right side of the plane (the F seats on most IndiGo and Air India A320s) for the long row of snow peaks in the middle of the flight, and the left side (A seats) on the way back. That's the short answer. On 15 October we posted a reel of snow-covered peaks with the caption "Snow-covered mountains from above… just imagine experiencing this beauty on your Kashmir trip!" That is the view guests keep asking us about before they book their tickets, and the window seat is where it starts.
Watch it on our Instagram: snow-covered mountains from above (15 October 2026)
Snow peaks from our 15 Oct 2026 reel. This frame was filmed on the ground, not from the plane.
Below is why the side matters, where the split opinions come from, and what we tell guests flying in this winter.
Which side to sit on a Delhi to Srinagar flight
| Flight | Seat side | What you're watching for |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Srinagar | Right (F) | The high Himachal ranges east of the route in the middle of the flight |
| Last 15 minutes into Srinagar | Either, often left (A) | The Pir Panjal ridges as you cross into the valley |
| Srinagar to Delhi | Left (A) | The same Himachal ranges, now on your left |
The flight heads roughly north-north-west from Delhi, about 640 km and a little over an hour in the air. For most of the way the big snow ranges of Himachal sit to the east of that line, which is the right-hand window going in. Flight-path tools that map the route put peaks like Manimahesh Kailash on the right side mid-flight.
So why do some people swear by the A seats?
Because the last part of the flight is different. To reach Srinagar the plane crosses the Pir Panjal, the range that walls the valley in on its south-west side. Those ridges run off to both sides of the plane, and the ones towards the Gulmarg side (Afarwat and beyond) can show up on the left as you come down. Regular flyers on travel forums split between A and F for exactly this reason.
Our honest take: the right side gives you more mountains for longer, so book F going in and A coming back. If you only care about the descent over the valley, either side works, and the final turn onto the runway can swing the view from one window to the other anyway. Air traffic routing and wind change the exact path on the day, so no seat is a guarantee.
Seat tips that actually help
- Sit away from the wing. On an A320 the wing blocks a good part of the view from roughly the middle rows. Front rows or the back third of the cabin give a cleaner window.
- Pick the seat early. Window seats on morning Srinagar flights go fast in December and January. Paying a little for seat selection is worth it on this route if the view matters to you.
- Clean window, camera ready. The mountain stretch is short. Have your phone out before the seatbelt sign comes on for the descent, because you can't stand up to reach the bag then.
- Snow on the peaks is a winter thing. From late autumn to early spring the ranges are white. In summer you'll still see the mountains, but much less snow on them.
Flying in winter: fog and delays
Winter is when the view is best, and it's also when flights run late. Morning fog in north India around December and January can hold departures from Delhi, and low cloud or fog over the valley can do the same at Srinagar. A clear-day window seat is luck, not something any airline or agent can promise. Weather is never guaranteed, and we won't pretend otherwise.
What we do is plan around it. Send us your flight number when you book, and our driver goes by your actual landing time, not the time printed on the ticket. We also keep the first afternoon light (a shikara or a slow evening on the Boulevard) rather than a long drive, so a two-hour delay doesn't wreck the day. You can read how the pickup works in our first hour after landing in Srinagar guide, and how to book the cab on our Srinagar airport taxi page.
One more thing before you land: if you're on a prepaid SIM from outside J&K, it won't work here. Sort it out before the trip with our does my SIM work in Kashmir guide, so you can call your driver from the arrival hall.
Planning a winter trip around the flight
If you're flying in for snow, timing matters more than the seat. Our Kashmir in winter page covers what each month is like, and our first snowfall of 2026 post shows when the snow actually came this season. Still deciding between flight, train and road? See how to reach Kashmir.
FAQ
Which side is the Pir Panjal on when flying to Srinagar?
You cross the Pir Panjal near the end of the flight, so its ridges can be seen from both sides. The Gulmarg side of the range tends to be on the left as you come down into the valley.
Which side should I sit on from Srinagar to Delhi?
The left side (A seats). The Himachal ranges that were on your right going in are now on your left.
Is the morning flight better for the view?
Many regular flyers say mornings have fewer clouds over the mountains, but in December and January mornings also bring the most fog delays. Book the earliest flight you're comfortable waiting on.
Flying into Srinagar this winter?
We're a Srinagar travel agency at Pantha Chowk, registered with J&K Tourism (JKEA00005366). Tell us your flight and dates, and we'll have a driver at the airport and a plan for the rest of the trip. For airport pickups and winter trips, call or WhatsApp us on 7006085655 for a quote (tap to call), or our second number 9596044418.
Related reads
- Srinagar airport arrival guide
- How to reach Kashmir: flight, train or road
- Kashmir weather in December 2026
Travel Etios Kashmir, Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. J&K Tourism registered (JKEA00005366). Rated 5.0★ from 155 Google reviews. Call or WhatsApp +91 95960 44418 or +91 70060 85655, or email enquiry@traveletioskashmir.com.
