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STN → LYS
Which side of the plane to sit from London Stansted Airport (London) to Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (Lyon)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic scenery, featuring the crossing of the Thames Estuary, the English coastline, and a potentially spectacular distant view of the French and Swiss Alps including Mont Blanc during the descent into Lyon.
Thames Estuary
Aerial view of the intricate sandbanks and shipping lanes where the River Thames meets the North Sea shortly after takeoff.
Kent Coastline
Visuals of the Garden of England and the distant white chalk cliffs near Dover as the plane heads toward the Channel.
Champagne Region
Expansive views of the rolling hills and world-renowned vineyards of northeastern France during mid-flight.
The Alps
On clear days, the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps and Mont Blanc are visible on the horizon during the descent phase.
Grand Lyon
A sweeping view of the urban sprawl and the convergence of the Saône and Rhône rivers as you approach the airport.
For the best experience, book a morning flight to have the sun behind you, illuminating the French landscape. Watch the horizon about 20 minutes before landing for the first glimpse of the Alps. Avoid seats over the wing (rows 12-22 on most A320s/737s) to ensure an unobstructed view of the terrain.
London Horizon
Depending on the takeoff direction, catch a distant glimpse of the Shard and London's skyline to the southwest.
The English Channel
Excellent views of the busy maritime traffic in one of the world's most congested shipping lanes.
Paris Distant View
On many flight paths, the urban density of Paris and the business district of La Défense can be spotted to the west.
Burgundy Vineyards
Fly over the prestigious Côte d'Or wine region, characterized by its patchwork of historic vineyard plots.
Rhône River
Follow the winding path of the Rhône River as it snakes through the valley toward the city of Lyon.
The right side is ideal for evening flights to catch the sunset over central France. It provides a better perspective of the French countryside's agricultural patterns. If landing from the south, this side offers a closer look at the historic city center of Lyon just before touchdown.
Distance: 771 km (479 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 17 min
Departure: STN (51.8849983215, 0.234999999404)
Arrival: LYS (45.725556, 5.081111)
Route Type: International
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