Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Alicante to London. The left side wins overall for the spectacular Mediterranean departure views — the Alicante coastline, salt flats, and Sierra de Aitana are genuinely dramatic. The mid-flight crossing over the Pyrenees and French countryside also favors the left side with views toward the Bay of Biscay coast. The Gatwick arrival is relatively modest on either side, so the departure experience tips the balance.

During takeoff from Alicante (ALC), sit on the Left side for the best views. Alicante typically departs on runway 10 (heading east) or runway 28 (heading west). On a northbound flight to London, aircraft usually take off on runway 28 heading west then turn north, putting the Mediterranean Sea and Alicante city on the left side during the initial climb and turn. The left seat gets the coastline, the salt lagoon of El Hondo, and the city bay. Notable sights include: Alicante Bay and the castle of Santa Barbara on the headland, the salt flats of Las Salinas de Santa Pola to the south, the Mediterranean coastline stretching toward Benidorm, the Sierra de Aitana mountain range inland.

When landing at Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Gatwick predominantly uses runway 08L/26R. Arrivals from the south on runway 08 approach from the southwest, tracking over Surrey. The right side gives views over the North Downs, Crawley, and the patchwork of Surrey countryside. On runway 26 arrivals from the east, the right side looks south over the Weald toward the South Downs. Notable sights include: The North Downs chalk ridge running east-west across Surrey, the M23 motorway corridor leading into Gatwick, Crawley town to the north of the airport, the patchwork of Surrey and West Sussex farmland and woodland.

The flight from Alicante (ALC) to Gatwick (LGW) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.

The flight tracks north-northwest over the Spanish interior (La Mancha plateau), crosses the Pyrenees near their eastern end with views of the high ridgelines, then passes over southern France including the Languedoc plain and the Massif Central to the west. The Channel crossing occurs near Dieppe or Boulogne, with the English Channel visible for 10-15 minutes before descending over Kent and Surrey into Gatwick.