The right side keeps the more dynamic scenery throughout the short hop — London's river and Docklands at takeoff, then the Dutch coastal dunes and polder patchwork on arrival — while the left side faces mostly featureless Essex farmland and open North Sea.
Flight Path
Open North Sea crossing between the Thames Estuary and the Dutch coast, with no land visible for roughly 20-30 minutes of cruise
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase

Takeoff from LCY
RIGHTClimbing out of London City, the right (south-facing) side looks straight across the Thames toward Greenwich, the O2 Arena, and the river's wide bend before it opens into the Thames Estuary and the Kent coastline. The left side mostly shows flat Newham/Essex suburbs with less visual interest.

Landing at AMS
RIGHTOn the descent into Schiphol, southbound flights from the UK typically cross the Dutch coast near Katwijk or Noordwijk before curving inland, so the right side gets the dune-lined North Sea coastline and glimpses of polder canals as the flat Dutch countryside unfolds beneath the final approach.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from City (LCY) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Amsterdam. The right side keeps the more dynamic scenery throughout the short hop — London's river and Docklands at takeoff, then the Dutch coastal dunes and polder patchwork on arrival — while the left side faces mostly featureless Essex farmland and open North Sea.
What can I see during takeoff from City in London?
During takeoff from City (LCY), sit on the Right side for the best views. Climbing out of London City, the right (south-facing) side looks straight across the Thames toward Greenwich, the O2 Arena, and the river's wide bend before it opens into the Thames Estuary and the Kent coastline. The left side mostly shows flat Newham/Essex suburbs with less visual interest. Notable sights include: River Thames bend at Greenwich, O2 Arena dome, Greenwich Peninsula, Thames Estuary widening toward the North Sea.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into Schiphol, southbound flights from the UK typically cross the Dutch coast near Katwijk or Noordwijk before curving inland, so the right side gets the dune-lined North Sea coastline and glimpses of polder canals as the flat Dutch countryside unfolds beneath the final approach. Notable sights include: Dutch coastal dunes near Noordwijk, North Sea shoreline, patchwork polders and drainage canals, greenhouse clusters of the Westland/Randstad region.
How long is the flight from London to Amsterdam?
The flight from City (LCY) to Schiphol (AMS) takes 1h15m.
What does the London to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
Open North Sea crossing between the Thames Estuary and the Dutch coast, with no land visible for roughly 20-30 minutes of cruise