About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from City (BHD) to Heathrow (LHR)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Belfast to London. The right seat delivers the standout moment of the flight — the Harland and Wolff cranes and Belfast Lough on departure are genuinely distinctive and hard to beat. The London approach on the left is good but the views are more diffuse at altitude. Right side edges it overall.
What can I see during takeoff from City in Belfast?
During takeoff from City (BHD), sit on the Right side for the best views. BHD's main runway 22 departure heads southwest over Belfast Lough, and a right-side seat gives you a clear look back over the city centre, the Harland and Wolff cranes, and the lough opening toward the Irish Sea. Left side faces inland toward the hills but misses the water and city spread. Notable sights include: Harland and Wolff yellow cranes (Samson and Goliath), Belfast Lough, Belfast city centre grid, Cave Hill escarpment to the north.
What can I see when landing at Heathrow in London?
When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow typically uses westerly runways (27L/27R) for landing, meaning the approach is from the east over London. A left-side seat on this approach gives you the Thames corridor, central London landmarks, and the city spread as you descend through the final miles. Right side faces north toward the suburbs with less to see. Notable sights include: River Thames and its bends through central London, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, Wembley Stadium arch, the City of London skyline.
How long is the flight from Belfast to London?
The flight from City (BHD) to Heathrow (LHR) takes Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.
What does the Belfast to London flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast from Belfast across the Irish Sea, passing near the Isle of Man to the east, then crossing the Lancashire and Cheshire coasts before heading south over the English Midlands — the Pennines are visible to the east on clear days, and the patchwork of English farmland dominates the mid-flight view before the Thames Valley opens up on descent.