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LGW → LYS
Which side of the plane to sit from London Gatwick Airport (London) to Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (Lyon)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is the clear winner for this route, primarily due to the spectacular distant views of the French Alps and Mont Blanc during the descent into Lyon, complemented by views of the Champagne and Burgundy wine regions.
Search flights from LGW to LYS
English Channel Crossing
Aerial view of the busy shipping lanes between the UK and the French coast at Dieppe.
Champagne Region
Rolling hills and structured vineyards of the historic Champagne-Ardenne area.
Burgundy Vineyards
Deep green valleys and famous wine estates near Dijon and the Côte-d'Or.
The French Alps
A breathtaking panorama of the snow-capped Alps, including Mont Blanc, visible on clear days during the descent.
Book an early morning flight to see the sun rising over the Alps as you approach Lyon. Ensure you sit behind the wing for an unobstructed view of the horizon where the mountains meet the sky. Seasonal snow cover makes the mountain views significantly more dramatic between November and April.
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Alabaster Coast
The dramatic white chalk cliffs of the Normandy coastline as the plane enters French airspace.
Paris Distant Skyline
On clear days, the sprawling urban mass of Paris and sometimes the Eiffel Tower can be spotted to the west.
Morvan Regional Park
Deep forests and granite peaks of the eastern edge of the Massif Central.
Lyon City Center
A direct view of the Presqu'île and the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers if landing from the north.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. Keep your eyes peeled about 20-30 minutes after takeoff for the Paris cityscape. If the flight approaches Lyon Saint-Exupéry from the north (Runway 17), you will get a great look at the city itself.
Book Hotels in LyonDistance: 717 km (446 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 12 min
Departure: LGW (51.148102, -0.190278)
Arrival: LYS (45.725556, 5.081111)
Route Type: International
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