Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Dubai. The right side wins overall because the takeoff view over the South Downs and English Channel is genuinely scenic, and during the cruise the right side faces south, giving views over the Alps on the European leg, the Greek islands, and later the Zagros Mountains of Iran. The left side has the better Dubai landing approach, but the right side delivers more across the full journey.

During takeoff from Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Gatwick's primary departure runway 26L sends aircraft westward before turning southeast toward the continent. A right-side seat gives you the view south over the Surrey Hills and the South Downs as the aircraft banks left onto its southeasterly track. You'll also catch the urban sprawl of Crawley below and the English Channel coast appearing ahead. Notable sights include: Surrey Hills AONB, South Downs ridge, English Channel coastline near Eastbourne, Crawley town grid below.

When landing at Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dubai International's primary arrival runway 12L brings aircraft in from the northwest over the desert and urban core. A left-side seat faces northeast, giving you the Dubai Creek, Deira district, and the older city grid as you descend. The right side faces the desert and industrial port areas which are less visually interesting. Notable sights include: Dubai Creek and Deira district, downtown Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah visible to the southwest, Dubai Marina towers.

The flight from Gatwick (LGW) to Dubai International (DXB) takes Approximately 6 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes.

The route tracks southeast over France, crossing the Alps near the Mont Blanc massif visible to the right, then over northern Italy and the Adriatic Sea. The aircraft crosses Greece and the Aegean islands, then Turkey and Cyprus before entering Lebanese and Syrian airspace. Over Iraq the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys are visible as dark green ribbons through brown desert. The Zagros Mountains of western Iran appear as dramatic parallel ridges before the descent into the flat UAE coastal plain.