About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Gatwick (LGW) to Chaklala (ISB)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Islamabad. While the right side has a slight edge at Gatwick departure, the left side wins the full flight. Over Europe the left side tracks closer to the Alps as you cross central Europe, and crucially the left side delivers the dramatic Margalla Hills and Islamabad cityscape on arrival. The left side also captures the Hindu Kush and Karakoram foothills as you descend into Pakistan from the northwest.
What can I see during takeoff from Gatwick in London?
During takeoff from Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Gatwick's main departure runway 26L sends aircraft westward initially before turning northeast. On a right-side seat you get views south over the Surrey Hills and the South Downs as the aircraft banks left to track northeast. The left side faces north toward Greater London's urban sprawl which is less visually interesting at this stage. Notable sights include: Surrey Hills AONB, South Downs ridge, Ashdown Forest, Crawley town below.
What can I see when landing at Chaklala in Islamabad?
When landing at Chaklala (ISB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International uses runway 12/30. Arrivals on runway 12 approach from the northwest, meaning the left side of the aircraft faces northeast toward the Margalla Hills, which rise dramatically directly behind Islamabad. This gives a clear view of the forested Margalla ridgeline and the city laid out below. Runway 30 arrivals reverse this but the left side still captures the Margalla Hills as you descend. Notable sights include: Margalla Hills, Islamabad's grid-planned sectors, Rawal Lake, Murree Hills in the distance.
How long is the flight from London to Islamabad?
The flight from Gatwick (LGW) to Chaklala (ISB) takes Approximately 8 to 9 hours.
What does the London to Islamabad flight path pass over?
The route typically tracks northeast over the English Channel, across Belgium and Germany, then southeast over Austria and the Alps, across Hungary and Romania, over the Black Sea or Turkey depending on routing, then across Iran and Afghanistan before descending into Pakistan. Notable features include the Alps crossing over Austria or Switzerland, the Zagros Mountains of western Iran, the Afghan plateau, and the Hindu Kush foothills as you approach Islamabad from the northwest.