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CTU → LHR
Which side of the plane to sit from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu) to London Heathrow Airport (London)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior combination of the rugged Tibetan Plateau edge shortly after departure and the iconic 'Thames arrival' view of central London landmarks upon descent.
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Minshan Mountains
Dramatic views of the high-altitude snow-capped peaks bordering the Sichuan Basin shortly after takeoff.
Taklamakan Desert Edge
Aerial perspective of the vast shifting sands and oasis towns of southern Xinjiang.
The Caucasus
Jagged, glaciated peaks of the Caucasus range visible between the Caspian and Black Seas.
Central London
On standard westerly approaches (Runway 27), you get a perfect view of the Shard, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye.
Sit on the left for the best chance of seeing London's city center during the final approach. Since this is a long westbound flight, the sun will be on the left (south) side for much of the journey; keep your window shade down during the mid-flight glare to stay cool, but open it as you cross into European airspace.
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Gobi Desert
Stunning views of the northern desert reaches and unique geological formations in Inner Mongolia.
Ural Mountains
Cross the historic boundary between Asia and Europe over this ancient, rolling mountain range.
North Sea Coastline
The transition from the Dutch or German coastline across the North Sea toward the UK.
Northern Lights
On winter night flights, this north-facing side provides the best opportunity to spot the Aurora Borealis over high latitudes.
The right side is ideal for passengers who prefer indirect sunlight and consistent lighting for photography. If traveling during the winter months, keep an eye out for the Aurora Borealis during the middle segments of the flight over Russia and the Baltic region.
Book Hotels in LondonDistance: 8,302 km (5,159 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 46 min
Departure: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Arrival: LHR (51.4706, -0.461941)
Route Type: International
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