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STN → BCN
Which side of the plane to sit from London Stansted Airport (London) to Barcelona International Airport (Barcelona)?
Right Side of the Plane
While both sides offer great views, the right side provides a superior angle for the Pyrenees mountain crossing and typically offers a more dramatic view of the Barcelona city layout and Montserrat during the descent.
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Loire Valley
Sightings of France's famous river valley, known for its historic chateaus and vineyards.
The Pyrenees
A spectacular crossing over the high-altitude peaks and snow-capped ridges of the border range.
Montserrat
The iconic, jagged multi-peaked mountain range located just northwest of Barcelona.
Barcelona Cityscape
A bird's-eye view of the Eixample district's grid pattern and the famous Camp Nou stadium.
Barcelona Port
Views of the Mediterranean's busy maritime hub, including large cruise ships and cargo terminals.
The right side is best for afternoon and evening flights to catch the sunset over the mountains. The Pyrenees appear approximately 75-80 minutes into the flight. During the landing approach (usually Runway 25R or 24R), this side provides the most iconic views of the city landmarks.
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English Channel
Aerial views of the narrow crossing between the UK and France, often filled with cargo ships.
Northern France
Expansive views of the French agricultural landscape and the winding Seine River valley.
Distant Paris
On exceptionally clear days, the silhouette of Paris and its outskirts can be seen to the east.
Costa Brava
The rugged and beautiful coastline of northern Catalonia as the plane begins its final approach.
Choose the left side for morning flights to keep the sun behind you. This side is ideal for seeing the Mediterranean coastline as you bank toward the airport. Watch for the change from the green French landscape to the drier, redder earth of Spain.
Get eSIMs for United Kingdom
Get eSIMs for SpainDistance: 1,186 km (737 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 35 min
Departure: STN (51.8849983215, 0.234999999404)
Arrival: BCN (41.2971, 2.07846)
Route Type: International
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