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AMS → STN
Which side of the plane to sit from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam) to London Stansted Airport (London)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side is generally superior for this short hop, offering potential views of the Amsterdam canal ring upon departure and a higher likelihood of seeing the Thames Estuary and the Greater London outskirts during the approach into Stansted.
Amsterdam Canal District
If the flight departs towards the east or south, you will get a bird's-eye view of the historic 17th-century canal ring.
Zandvoort & Bloemendaal
Clear views of the popular Dutch sandy coastline and the Formula 1 racing circuit as you leave the mainland.
Offshore Wind Farms
The North Sea is dotted with massive arrays of turbines like the Hollandse Kust, which are clearly visible from cruising altitude.
Thames Estuary
As you approach the UK, look south to see the massive shipping lanes and the mouth of the River Thames.
Southend-on-Sea
On the descent, you can often spot the world's longest pleasure pier stretching out into the water.
Book a window seat in front of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. For evening flights, the left side faces south/southwest, providing a beautiful 'Golden Hour' glow over the North Sea and the Essex countryside. If the wind is from the east, your approach may loop around London, offering distant views of the Shard and Canary Wharf.
Port of IJmuiden
A view of the massive North Sea Canal locks and the industrial heart that connects Amsterdam to the ocean.
Shipping Lanes
One of the world's busiest maritime corridors, where dozens of massive cargo ships and tankers can be seen queued up.
Suffolk Coastline
The flight usually makes landfall near the charming coastal towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh.
East Anglian Farmland
The quintessential English countryside, characterized by a patchwork of green and gold fields and small rural villages.
Cambridge Distant View
On very clear days, looking northwest during the final descent may reveal the historic spires of Cambridge University.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. It also offers the best views of the Dutch 'Polder' landscape if departing from the Polderbaan (Runway 18R/36L), the airport's most distant runway. Look out for the massive container port at Felixstowe as you cross the English coast.
Distance: 313 km (194 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 31 min
Departure: AMS (52.308601, 4.76389)
Arrival: STN (51.8849983215, 0.234999999404)
Route Type: International
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