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LGW → CGN
Which side of the plane to sit from London Gatwick Airport (London) to Cologne Bonn Airport (Cologne)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side (Starboard) is generally superior for this short hop as it offers iconic views of the White Cliffs of Dover during the Channel crossing and the most scenic perspective of the Rhine River and Cologne's skyline upon arrival at CGN.
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White Cliffs of Dover
Iconic views of the English coastline and the busy Strait of Dover shipping lanes.
Brussels City Center
Bird's eye view of the Belgian capital, including the Atomium if visibility is high.
Ardennes Foothills
Green, rolling hills of eastern Belgium transitioning into the German Eifel region.
Cologne Cathedral & Rhine
Spectacular views of the 'Kölner Dom' and the winding Rhine River during the final descent.
For the best experience, sit on the right side and hope for a landing on Runway 14L or 14R, which frequently provides a direct view of the Cologne Cathedral. Morning flights provide excellent front-lit views of the English cliffs and the Belgian landscape.
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Thames Estuary
On departure, look north to see the widening Thames as it meets the North Sea.
Port of Zeebrugge
Clear views of one of Europe's largest roll-on/roll-off ports on the Belgian coast.
Antwerp Skyline
The dense urban center of the diamond capital of the world and its massive harbor complex.
Ruhr Valley Horizon
As you enter German airspace, the industrial heartland of the Ruhr area is visible to the north.
Choose the left side for afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. It offers better views of the Dutch-Belgian border regions and the expansive North Sea coastline if the flight path is slightly northerly.
Get eSIMs for United Kingdom
Get eSIMs for GermanyDistance: 514 km (319 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 51 min
Departure: LGW (51.148102, -0.190278)
Arrival: CGN (50.8658981323, 7.1427397728)
Route Type: International
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