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LHR → CMB
Which side of the plane to sit from London Heathrow Airport (London) to Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (Colombo)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior vantage point for the London skyline upon departure, the dramatic coastal landscapes of the Middle East, and the Colombo city skyline during the final approach.
London Departure
Spectacular views of the Thames, the Shard, and the City of London shortly after taking off from Heathrow.
Istanbul & Bosphorus
The unique geographic split between Europe and Asia marked by the glittering Bosphorus Strait.
Mesopotamian Plains
The historic Tigris and Euphrates rivers winding through the arid landscapes of Iraq and Kuwait.
Persian Gulf Coast
Views of the turquoise waters and the modern architectural marvels along the coastlines of the UAE or Oman.
Colombo Skyline
Panoramic views of the Lotus Tower, the Port City, and the Indian Ocean during the final descent into CMB.
The right side is ideal for catching the sunset over the Arabian Sea. For the best arrival experience, the right side usually offers the iconic view of the Sri Lankan coastline and Colombo's urban center as the plane maneuvers for landing.
The Alps
Aerial views of the snow-capped peaks across Central Europe, specifically the Austrian and Slovenian ranges.
The Black Sea
A vast expanse of deep blue water as the flight path crosses from Europe into the Asian continent.
Caucasus Mountains
Rugged, high-altitude terrain visible when the flight takes a more northerly corridor over Georgia or Azerbaijan.
Ganges Delta
The intricate network of rivers and fertile plains of the Indian subcontinent during the mid-to-late flight phase.
Choose this side if you are on a daytime flight to maximize views of the European mountain ranges. During the descent into Sri Lanka, the left side often looks inland toward the lush, misty hills of the central province.
Distance: 8,715 km (5,415 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 10 hrs 15 min
Departure: LHR (51.4706, -0.461941)
Arrival: CMB (7.180759906768799, 79.88410186767578)
Route Type: International
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