Hamburg to London flight pathHAMLHR

Sit on the left side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time1h 45m
Distance463
Heading255° → 247°

Hamburg to London is 463 miles (745 km), a flight of about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Best side
Left
★ 3.0 left·★ 1.5 right

The left side wins on both ends of the flight: Hamburg's harbor and city core during departure, and the Thames corridor with Windsor Castle during the London arrival, giving it clearly more landmark density than the flat farmland and suburban views on the right.

Takeoff · HAMLEFTHamburg city center and Speicherstadt, Elbe river, Port of Hamburg container terminals
Landing · LHRLEFTThames river bends through Docklands and Westminster, Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Northern German lowlands near Bremen, the Dutch coastline and IJsselmeer region, then a short North Sea crossing before reaching the English coast near the Thames Estuary

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Takeoff from HAM

LEFT

Departing HAM on runway 23, the initial southwest climb puts Hamburg's city center, the Elbe river and the harbor/container port off the left side of the aircraft before the turn onto the westbound routing. The right side shows only the flat farmland north of the airport.

Hamburg city center and SpeicherstadtElbe riverPort of Hamburg container terminalsAlster lakes
Aerial window seat view during landing at London (left side) — Thames river bends through Docklands and Westminster, Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle, Kew Gardens

Landing at LHR

LEFT

Arrivals into LHR from the northeast typically get vectored south of central London before turning onto final approach for 27L/27R, keeping the Thames, Docklands and Westminster visible on the left side, with Windsor Castle appearing just before touchdown. The right side mostly shows the suburban sprawl of west London with fewer recognizable landmarks.

Thames river bends through Docklands and WestminsterCanary Wharf towersWindsor CastleKew Gardens

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hamburg (HAM) to Heathrow (LHR)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hamburg to London. The left side wins on both ends of the flight: Hamburg's harbor and city core during departure, and the Thames corridor with Windsor Castle during the London arrival, giving it clearly more landmark density than the flat farmland and suburban views on the right.

What can I see during takeoff from Hamburg in Hamburg?

During takeoff from Hamburg (HAM), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing HAM on runway 23, the initial southwest climb puts Hamburg's city center, the Elbe river and the harbor/container port off the left side of the aircraft before the turn onto the westbound routing. The right side shows only the flat farmland north of the airport. Notable sights include: Hamburg city center and Speicherstadt, Elbe river, Port of Hamburg container terminals, Alster lakes.

What can I see when landing at Heathrow in London?

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into LHR from the northeast typically get vectored south of central London before turning onto final approach for 27L/27R, keeping the Thames, Docklands and Westminster visible on the left side, with Windsor Castle appearing just before touchdown. The right side mostly shows the suburban sprawl of west London with fewer recognizable landmarks. Notable sights include: Thames river bends through Docklands and Westminster, Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle, Kew Gardens.

How long is the flight from Hamburg to London?

The flight from Hamburg (HAM) to Heathrow (LHR) takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 463 miles (745 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Hamburg to London flight path pass over?

Northern German lowlands near Bremen, the Dutch coastline and IJsselmeer region, then a short North Sea crossing before reaching the English coast near the Thames Estuary