Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Sumburgh. Takeoff views from the right are superior—the Thames estuary and North Sea crossing are more visually distinctive than inland London. Landing from the left is excellent but brief. Right-side passengers get the better overall experience with the extended eastbound departure over water and estuarine geography.

During takeoff from City (LCY), sit on the Right side for the best views. City Airport typically departs eastbound (Runway 09) over the Thames estuary. Right-side seats offer immediate views of the Thames winding through East London, the Docklands skyline, and the North Sea opening up ahead. Left seats face inland toward central London, which quickly becomes obscured by altitude and distance. Notable sights include: River Thames (immediate foreground curving southeast), Canary Wharf and Docklands (south bank), Essex marshlands and Tilbury (eastern horizon), North Sea (far horizon).

When landing at Sumburgh (LSI), sit on the Left side for the best views. Sumburgh sits at the southern tip of Mainland Shetland. Approach typically comes from the north (Runway 21). Left-side seats face west and southwest during descent, revealing the dramatic cliffs and moorland of southern Shetland, the Atlantic approaches, and Sumburgh Head's distinctive headland. Right seats face the North Sea and offer less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Sumburgh Head (distinctive rocky headland with lighthouse), Fitful Head (western cliffs), Shetland moorland (rolling treeless terrain), Fair Isle (small island visible to the southwest on clear days).

The flight from City (LCY) to Sumburgh (LSI) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight crosses the North Sea on a northwesterly track. Notable features include the Firth of Forth (visible around 45 minutes into flight if conditions permit), the Scottish Borders moorland, and the transition from the North Sea into the Atlantic approaches as you near Shetland. The Pentland Firth between mainland Scotland and Orkney may be visible to the west around the 90-minute mark. Shetland's northern islands (Yell, Unst) appear on the left (west) side during descent. The entire route is over water or sparsely populated terrain—no major cities are visible after leaving London.