Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Belfast to London. Right side wins at takeoff for Lough Neagh, but the London approach on the left is the more spectacular and sustained payoff. For the full flight, left side gives you the better landing sequence over the Thames and central London, which is the visual highlight of this short route.

During takeoff from Aldergrove (BFS), sit on the Right side for the best views. BFS typically departs on runway 17 (southbound) or 07 (eastbound). On a southbound departure, the right side gives you Lough Neagh — the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles — spread out to the west, plus the Antrim Plateau rising to the northwest. On an eastbound departure, the right side tracks along the southern shore of Belfast Lough toward the city. Notable sights include: Lough Neagh (massive inland lake immediately to the west), Belfast Lough and Belfast city to the northeast, Antrim Plateau escarpment, Strangford Lough visible to the southeast on climb-out.

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow predominantly lands on runway 27L/27R (westerly approach from the east). On this approach, the left side tracks over central London — you get a clear view of the Thames snaking through the city, the City of London skyline, and Canary Wharf before crossing over Richmond and Windsor. The right side sees mostly suburban west London. Notable sights include: River Thames and its distinctive meanders through London, Canary Wharf cluster and City of London skyline, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, Wembley Stadium arch.

The flight from Aldergrove (BFS) to Heathrow (LHR) takes Approximately 55 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes.

After crossing the Irish Sea and the Mull of Kintyre area, the route tracks southeast over the Irish Sea, crossing the Lancashire or Cheshire coast near Liverpool or Warrington, then over the English Midlands — the M6 corridor, Birmingham conurbation visible as a large urban spread, before descending over Buckinghamshire and Berkshire into the Heathrow approach.