As an aviation geek, there are so many things I love about flying — I love the miracle of flight, I love how complex the industry is, and I like experiencing the differences between airlines. But there’s one thing I probably like more than anything, and that’s the view from the sky, especially around sunrise and sunset.
In this post:
A stunning sunrise on MIAT Mongolian Airlines
I just completed a trip on MIAT Mongolian Airlines, flying on a Boeing 787 from Frankfurt to Ulaanbaatar, and on a Boeing 737 from Ulaanbaatar to Seoul Incheon. Ulaanbaatar isn’t a place you want to visit in January, at least if you’re like me, and like warm weather. The temperatures there aren’t just freezing, they’re negative. The other day I was looking at temperatures there, and it was -20 Fahrenheit. I got lucky, as it was “only” -10 Fahrenheit while I transited, and you certainly feel it on the jet bridge!
Sometimes the harshest climates can make for the most beautiful views, though. My MIAT Mongolian Boeing 737 MAX flight departed at 7:45AM, and currently (in late January) the sunrise is at 8:25AM. As we taxied out, I could tell the sunrise could be pretty.
However, I wasn’t quite prepared for just how beautiful the scenery would be this time of year. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves, because what can I really say? I felt like I was on a different planet…
It was interesting to see how the landscape transitioned as we continued our journey, initially through the Gobi Desert, and then over China. At first the landscape flatted out a bit…
And then as we got closer to China it got more mountainous again, but you can tell it wasn’t quite as cold…
You could also see the weather patterns shift as we got closer to the water, as there was no longer consistent snow cover…
For those curious, below was the route for the flight.
I’m sure the views would be pretty in summer as well, though flying in winter around sunrise made this really, really special.
There are some airplane views I’ll never forget
There’s something so special to me about views from airplanes. It’s one of the reasons that I always select a window seat, because I can’t imagine flying and not gazing out in amazement at the world.
I’ll take it a step further. There are some flights that I’ll never forget due to their views, and this flight was one of those. While I’ve flown over some gorgeous cold parts of the world (like Greenland), it’s typically at cruising altitude. So to not only take off in these conditions, but to also do that right as the sun was rising, was magical.
Heck, I almost want to plan another early morning winter flight out of Ulaanbaatar, just to be able to recreate this experience at some point. This also makes me want to visit the Gobi Desert, though perhaps that’s more of a summer activity. 😉 
Bottom line
There’s something special about gazing out at the world from a plane. While looking out the window never gets old, there are some flights that have truly unforgettable views. This can be due to a combination of factors, like landscape, a sunrise or sunset, and more.
I think I enjoyed the most memorable views of my life this weekend, flying MIAT Mongolian on a cold winter morning from Ulaanbaatar to Seoul Incheon. If you have the chance to fly this route, I can’t recommend it enough for the views alone. MIAT Mongolian has great fares from Frankfurt and Istanbul to destinations across Asia, and these views might just be the biggest selling point of flying with the airline.
What are your most memorable views you’ve ever had from a plane?
You got it right. Some flights you never forget bc of the views. For me it was LAX-HKG on a Cathay flight that seemed to chase the sun. I woke up to Japanese flute music and looked out over what I believe to be northern Canada/Alaska. Mountains covered in snow clear visibility as far as eye could see. Then a few years later (again on Cathay) this time in opposite direction and HKG-YVR, we flew...
You got it right. Some flights you never forget bc of the views. For me it was LAX-HKG on a Cathay flight that seemed to chase the sun. I woke up to Japanese flute music and looked out over what I believe to be northern Canada/Alaska. Mountains covered in snow clear visibility as far as eye could see. Then a few years later (again on Cathay) this time in opposite direction and HKG-YVR, we flew over Tokyo and Yokohama at night. All the window shades were open and I took video out of both sides of the plane in a mostly empty First cabin. The city lights stretched on and on. Video was about 5mins and the city just kept going and going...
Those are just two of the many unforgettable views and flights this hobby has gifted me
Writing from St. Regis Marsa Island;)
#grateful
You realise that only 4% of the world population uses Fahrenheit? As a global traveler, you should know that!
It would have been nice if you had also put Celsius for your readers in Canada, the UK, and ... everywhere else in the world!
I was fortunate to live and work in Mongolia for 2 1/2 years in the mid-late 1990's. My work enabled me to travel all over that beautiful country (mostly my Toyota Land Cruiser, but sometimes by air.) It is a breathtakingly gorgeous country regardless of the time of year (albeit Springtime is windy and nobody's favorite season there). The summers are short but fabulous (reminded me of Montana) and the winters are shockingly cold (but...
I was fortunate to live and work in Mongolia for 2 1/2 years in the mid-late 1990's. My work enabled me to travel all over that beautiful country (mostly my Toyota Land Cruiser, but sometimes by air.) It is a breathtakingly gorgeous country regardless of the time of year (albeit Springtime is windy and nobody's favorite season there). The summers are short but fabulous (reminded me of Montana) and the winters are shockingly cold (but not windy) but there is an ethereal beauty during that season that has to be seen to be believed (your photos captured that!). The tourist industry has come a long way in the past decade, and I encourage adventurous and resoectful people to travel there.
Reminds me of my post-vacation flight from Fairbanks AK to to Seattle. Just gorgeous views of glaciers and snow-covered mountain ranges the first half or so of the flight as we crossed the Alaska/Yukon corner and over British Columbia.
Best view for me was en route to Bhutan where we were lucky with perfect weather had an incredible view of Everest both ways
God, can y'all imagine Lucky on the ground in Mongolia? Sleeping in a ger, sh*tting in a hole in the ground.
Positively stunning, and the pics seem to do just about as much justice as is possible here. Almost feel like I'm there too; great post!
Great photos! Not sure I would plan a trip to Mongolia in January just for these views :) However, after reading your 2017 review, I did add a side trip to Nepal in part to fly Drukair from Kathmandu to Paro (Bhutan). Views of Everest were awesome!
On a 787 flown by the big boys,
you’d be lucky to see any view as the crew might have locked all windows in dark mode. Best to avoid such carriers.
Great pictures. This is why my window is always open if I'm sitting in the window seat.
Back when Continental was an airline, I took one of their first flights from to Newark to Hong Kong. It flew right over the North Pole area. It was stunning. I still remember it today.
Thank you for your wonderful pictures!
Glad you enjoyed your flight to and from my country. January is not the perfect time to visit to Mongolia for everyone but kudos to those who brave to go to this beautiful country. I hope you can visit Mongolia in the summer to enjoy warm weather and gorgeous views of Gobi and other places.
;)))
Loved Mongolia! Although I took the train from Vons and onto Russia!
First time I flew over the Grand Canyon, mind blown!
Was just about to say that every time I fly in and out of Vegas and see the Grand Canyon, I am literally speechless. I have never been to the Canyon, but from the air is it simply amazing. It's beautiful, and MASSIVE.
My favorite ever airplane view was taking off from KTM on QR going to DOH. 95% of the climb to cruising altitude was *below* the tops of the Himalayas! Imagine flying up the side of a mountain to cruising altitude. It was the most majestic thing I have ever seen in my life. I was on my knees by the window (so I could see better, given my business class seat didn't quite line up with the window) the whole time until we left the Himalayas behind.
I'm taking that flight this week! I'm so excited now! Thanks for the preview!
SUPER! What's the best thing about being high? The VIEW Number 1 FUN is the view!! And I agree the winter light and crispness are magical!
two of my highlight flights are over southeast Alaska/NWT headed to HND and crossing the himalayas up through Parkistan (on my way DXB-ICN)
Also last sumer flew HND-FRA across Northwest Alaska and NorthEast GreenLand Sweet
Reminds me of flying into Krasnoyarsk years ago and it was -45 when we landed. The cold clear air makes for amazing views. Visiting places like that at this time of year adds a sense of "authenticity" to a trip; a lot of fun.
Too bad we can't upload pics here. An AA pilot provided me the best imaginable view of Niagara Falls enroute ORD-YYZ. Only one side of the plane benefited, so I was lucky to be on that side. I frantically took 3 pics then put phopne down and just took it in. Also I'm always moved by views of Hong Kong, Palm Springs and NYC when the approach is right.
In Latin America, I love the PTY approach, and TGU is renowned for good reason.
Just back from Cape Town where we flew to Antarctica in an A340- ex Emirates. Have done over 1000 landings but landing on Antarctica at midnight in brilliant sunshine was the most awesome experience.