Dubai to London flight path: DXB to STN

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dubai to London. While the left side wins the brief but photogenic Dubai takeoff and a distant glimpse of London on landing, the right side faces the Zagros and Taurus mountain ranges, the Black Sea coastline, and the Carpathians during the long cruise phase, giving it far more sustained and varied terrain over the bulk of the flight.

During takeoff from Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing DXB on the northwest-facing runway, the initial climb puts Dubai's coastline and skyline on the left side of the aircraft. Passengers get a brief but striking view of Palm Jumeirah, the Burj Al Arab, and the dense Marina skyline before the turn onto the westbound route. Notable sights include: Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina skyline, Persian Gulf coastline.

When landing at Stansted (STN), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical northeast approach into Stansted, the aircraft banks gradually southwest toward runway 22, briefly putting London's distant skyline on the left horizon over the Essex countryside. The right side mostly shows uninterrupted farmland with no distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Distant London skyline (Shard, Canary Wharf), Essex patchwork farmland, Lee Valley reservoirs, M11 corridor.

The flight from Dubai International (DXB) to Stansted (STN) takes about 7 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,393 miles (5,460 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Zagros Mountains along the Iran-Iraq border, the Anatolian plateau and Taurus Mountains of Turkey, the Black Sea coastline, and the Carpathian Mountains over Romania before the route crosses into Central Europe