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MAN → LPA
Which side of the plane to sit from Manchester Airport (Manchester) to Gran Canaria Airport (Gran Canaria)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side of the aircraft offers consistent views of the European and African coastlines, including the rugged cliffs of Portugal and the northern islands of the Canaries during the final descent into Las Palmas.
Manchester and Cheshire
Excellent views of the sprawling Greater Manchester area and the green plains of Cheshire shortly after takeoff.
Bristol Channel
Look down to see the meeting of the Severn Estuary and the Atlantic as you cross the southwest of England.
Portuguese Coastline
Clear views of the dramatic Atlantic cliffs and beaches of Portugal, including the Tagus River near Lisbon.
Strait of Gibraltar
On clear days, the distant gap between Europe and Africa may be visible to the southeast.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura
As you descend, catch glimpses of the volcanic landscapes of the eastern Canary Islands to the left.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
A spectacular view of the island's capital and the 'Isleta' peninsula just before touchdown at LPA.
Choose the left side for morning flights to keep the sun on the opposite side of the plane, reducing glare for photography. During the final 20 minutes of flight, watch for the distinct volcanic craters of the neighboring islands. The left side is particularly rewarding for spotting the urban layout of Lisbon mid-flight.
Snowdonia National Park
Depending on the departure route, the peaks of North Wales are often visible to the west.
Bay of Biscay
A vast expanse of deep blue water often filled with cargo ships and dramatic cloud formations.
Atlantic Horizon
Uninterrupted views of the sunset over the ocean, especially beautiful on late afternoon departures.
Mount Teide
The massive peak of Tenerife's volcano often rises above the cloud layer to the west during the approach.
Maspalomas Dunes
If the aircraft circles south for a northern landing, you may spot the famous sand dunes in the distance.
The right side is best for late afternoon flights if you want to watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. While there is more open water on this side, the potential view of Mount Teide (Spain's highest peak) as you pass Tenerife is a major highlight. Keep your window shade down during the middle of the day to avoid the intense southern sun.
Distance: 3,024 km (1,879 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 33 min
Departure: MAN (53.35369873046875, -2.2749500274658203)
Arrival: LPA (27.931900024414062, -15.38659954071045)
Route Type: International
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