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HEL → LHR
Which side of the plane to sit from Helsinki Vantaa Airport (Helsinki) to London Heathrow Airport (London)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side is the clear winner for the HEL-LHR route, primarily because it offers a front-row seat to the iconic central London skyline during the standard approach into Heathrow, including landmarks like the Shard and Tower Bridge.
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The Baltic Sea
Expansive views of the deep blue Baltic shortly after departing from Helsinki's southern coast.
Øresund Bridge
The massive bridge and tunnel system connecting Copenhagen, Denmark, to Malmö, Sweden.
The Dutch Coastline
Clear views of the intricate dikes, reclaimed land (polders), and the Randstad region of the Netherlands.
Central London
Unbeatable views of the London Eye, Big Ben, and the Thames river curves during the final descent into LHR.
The City Skyline
Look down upon the dense skyscrapers of the financial district and the Shard just before touchdown.
To maximize your experience, choose a seat behind the wing to avoid obstruction. For the London approach, standard westerly winds mean the plane will circle over the city; the left side (Seat A) is essential for seeing the landmarks. On morning flights, the sun is positioned to illuminate the European coastline perfectly for photography.
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Swedish Archipelago
The thousands of tiny islands and dense forests along the coast of Sweden shortly after takeoff.
Danish Isles
The rural landscapes and coastal towns of the Danish islands such as Zealand and Lolland.
North Sea Wind Farms
Massive offshore wind energy arrays visible as white specks in the dark North Sea waters.
East Anglian Coast
The sandy beaches and marshes of the Norfolk and Suffolk coastlines as you enter UK airspace.
Windsor Castle
Visible on the right side if the aircraft performs an easterly landing (runway 09) due to unusual wind patterns.
The right side (Seat F or K) is best for sunset views during late afternoon or evening flights, as the sun sets over the North Sea. Keep an eye out for Windsor Castle just before landing if the winds are coming from the east, which is a rare but spectacular perspective.
Book Hotels in LondonDistance: 1,848 km (1,148 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 28 min
Departure: HEL (60.317199707031, 24.963300704956)
Arrival: LHR (51.4706, -0.461941)
Route Type: International
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