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LGW → FNC
Which side of the plane to sit from London Gatwick Airport (London) to Madeira Airport (Funchal)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a spectacular vantage point for the iconic approach into Madeira, including views of Porto Santo and the rugged cliffs of the island's northern coast.
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Isle of Wight
Excellent views of the southern English coast and the Needles shortly after departure.
Porto Santo
The neighboring 'Golden Isle' appears on the right shortly before the descent into Madeira.
Ponta de São Lourenço
The dramatic, arid eastern peninsula of Madeira with its jagged volcanic rock formations.
Central Mountain Massif
Spectacular views of Madeira's high peaks and deep green valleys during the descent.
Runway 05 Approach
A front-row seat for the famous curved approach onto the platform runway over the ocean.
Highly recommended for the scenic arrival. Aim for a window seat to see Porto Santo and the dramatic cliffs of Madeira. The right side typically gets the best view of the runway's engineering during the sharp right-hand turn into Funchal.
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English Channel Crossing
Watch the busy shipping lanes of the channel shortly after take-off from Gatwick.
Brittany Peninsula
Distant views of the rugged French coastline as the plane heads south over the Bay of Biscay.
Portuguese Continental Coast
On clear days, catch a glimpse of the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula.
Funchal Cityscape
During the final descent into Runway 05, the city of Funchal is visible against the hillside.
Best for morning flights to avoid the direct southern sun. Look for the distant Portuguese coast and the urban sprawl of Funchal during the final banking turn if landing from the south.
Get eSIMs for United Kingdom
Get eSIMs for PortugalDistance: 2,456 km (1,526 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 16 min
Departure: LGW (51.148102, -0.190278)
Arrival: FNC (32.697899, -16.7745)
Route Type: International
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