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MUC destination photo
STN destination photo

MUCSTN

Which side of the plane to sit from Munich Airport (Munich) to London Stansted Airport (London)?

Our Recommendation
7.8

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers the most dramatic contrast, featuring distant views of the Bavarian Alps shortly after takeoff and the potential for a spectacular distant London skyline view on the final approach.

Left Side Highlights
7.8
🏔️

Bavarian Alps

Shortly after departure from MUC, the southern horizon reveals the stunning snow-capped peaks of the Northern Limestone Alps.

🌲

Black Forest

As the plane traverses southwestern Germany, the dense, dark evergreen canopy of the Schwarzwald becomes visible.

🏰

Luxembourg City

A clear view of the deep river gorges and historic fortifications of the Luxembourg capital as you cross into the Benelux region.

🏛️

Brussels Panorama

Observe the sprawling urban grid of the Belgian capital, often passing directly south of the city's major landmarks.

🏙️

London Skyline

On the final descent into Stansted, if the wind is from the west, you can often spot the Shard and Canary Wharf in the distance to the south.

For morning flights, the left side avoids the harshest direct sunlight, making it better for photography. The Alps are most visible within the first 15 minutes of flight; look south immediately after the initial climb. During the winter months, the snow-covered peaks provide much better contrast against the landscape.

Right Side Highlights
7.2
🚜

Hallertau Hop Fields

Immediately north of Munich, see the geometric patterns of the world's largest continuous hop-growing region.

✈️

Frankfurt Hub

Catch a glimpse of the Main River and the massive infrastructure of Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe's busiest aviation centers.

🚢

Rotterdam Port

As you reach the coast, the massive industrial docks and container terminals of the world-renowned Dutch port are visible.

🌊

North Sea Transition

Watch the turquoise waters of the coast transition to the deep blue of the North Sea, dotted with cargo ships and wind farms.

🏖️

East Anglian Coast

The final approach typically follows the coastline of Essex and Suffolk, showing the intricate estuaries and salt marshes.

The right side is ideal for afternoon or sunset flights, as the sun will be on the opposite side, illuminating the North Sea coastline beautifully. Pay close attention as you cross the Dutch coast to see the impressive Delta Works flood barriers. This side also offers a better view of the rural Essex countryside during the final minutes before touchdown.

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Route Information

Distance: 911 km (566 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 31 min

Departure: MUC (48.353802, 11.7861)

Arrival: STN (51.8849983215, 0.234999999404)

Route Type: International

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