Both sides spend most of the roughly 9-hour Atlantic crossing over featureless open ocean, capping their scores, but the left side's approach into Cancun—crossing jungle into a vivid turquoise coastline with the Hotel Zone and lagoon—offers a more vivid, memorable payoff than the brief London skyline glimpse on departure.
Flight Path
Extended cruise over the open North Atlantic Ocean with no land visible for several hours, the route passing south of Ireland and later crossing into the Caribbean Sea near the Bahamas/northern Cuba region before approaching the Yucatan Peninsula.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from LGW
RIGHTDeparting Gatwick on runway 26 (westbound), the initial climb keeps London roughly off the nose-to-right, giving right-side passengers a brief but recognizable view of the London skyline and the Thames Valley before the aircraft settles onto its westward oceanic track. Left-side passengers mostly see the quieter Sussex/Surrey countryside and North Downs.
Landing at CUN
LEFTOn the runway 12 approach into Cancun, the aircraft crosses inland jungle before turning toward the coast, and the left side faces northeast toward the Caribbean shoreline, the Hotel Zone's barrier beach, and the Nichupte Lagoon. The right side instead looks back over featureless mainland jungle.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Gatwick (LGW) to Cancun International (CUN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Cancun. Both sides spend most of the roughly 9-hour Atlantic crossing over featureless open ocean, capping their scores, but the left side's approach into Cancun—crossing jungle into a vivid turquoise coastline with the Hotel Zone and lagoon—offers a more vivid, memorable payoff than the brief London skyline glimpse on departure.
What can I see during takeoff from Gatwick in London?
During takeoff from Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Gatwick on runway 26 (westbound), the initial climb keeps London roughly off the nose-to-right, giving right-side passengers a brief but recognizable view of the London skyline and the Thames Valley before the aircraft settles onto its westward oceanic track. Left-side passengers mostly see the quieter Sussex/Surrey countryside and North Downs. Notable sights include: Greater London skyline (City/Canary Wharf), the Thames, North Downs, Surrey countryside.
What can I see when landing at Cancun International in Cancun?
When landing at Cancun International (CUN), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the runway 12 approach into Cancun, the aircraft crosses inland jungle before turning toward the coast, and the left side faces northeast toward the Caribbean shoreline, the Hotel Zone's barrier beach, and the Nichupte Lagoon. The right side instead looks back over featureless mainland jungle. Notable sights include: Caribbean coastline and turquoise reef waters, Cancun Hotel Zone beach strip, Nichupte Lagoon, Yucatan jungle canopy.
How long is the flight from London to Cancun?
The flight from Gatwick (LGW) to Cancun International (CUN) takes 10h 50m.
What does the London to Cancun flight path pass over?
Extended cruise over the open North Atlantic Ocean with no land visible for several hours, the route passing south of Ireland and later crossing into the Caribbean Sea near the Bahamas/northern Cuba region before approaching the Yucatan Peninsula.