About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Jiangbei (CKG) to Heathrow (LHR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chongqing to London. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over central China the left side captures the dramatic Chongqing river confluence and mountain ridges. Across Central Asia and Europe the views are broadly symmetrical at cruise altitude. On descent into Heathrow the left side delivers the iconic Thames and London skyline sequence.
What can I see during takeoff from Jiangbei in Chongqing?
During takeoff from Jiangbei (CKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Chongqing Jiangbei airport sits north of the city. Departures heading roughly southwest on runway 02/20 or northwest on 11/29 mean the left side gets the dramatic view back over central Chongqing, the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze rivers, and the dense high-rise peninsula of Yuzhong District. The right side faces industrial flatlands to the north. Notable sights include: Jialing-Yangtze confluence at Chaotianmen, Yuzhong Peninsula high-rise cluster, Yangtze River gorge approach to the east, Zhongliang Mountain ridge to the west.
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's main approach is from the east on runway 27L/27R, meaning aircraft track westward over London. The left side faces south, giving views over central London landmarks — the Thames, Tower Bridge, the City, and Canary Wharf — as you descend over the eastern suburbs. The right side faces north toward Hertfordshire suburbs with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: River Thames and its bends through central London, Canary Wharf tower cluster, The City of London and Wembley Stadium arch, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park on final approach.
How long is the flight from Chongqing to London?
The flight from Jiangbei (CKG) to Heathrow (LHR) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours nonstop.
What does the Chongqing to London flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest from Chongqing over the Sichuan Basin, then crosses the Tibetan Plateau's northern edge and the Qilian Mountains, continues over the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang, crosses the Tian Shan range into Kazakhstan, transits the Caspian Sea, crosses the Caucasus or southern Russian steppe depending on routing, then passes over Ukraine or Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, and the North Sea before descending into London. The Taklimakan Desert and Aral Sea basin are particularly distinctive from altitude.