Left side captures the London cityscape on departure and the Swedish lake district on approach. The right side offers little more than open North Sea and Danish flatlands for most of the cruise, making left the clear winner for the full journey.
Flown LGW to NYO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to Stockholm is 855 miles (1,376 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
The flight tracks northeast over the Thames Estuary, crosses the southern North Sea, passes over the Danish coast near Jutland or the Danish islands, crosses the Øresund strait between Denmark and Sweden (where the Øresund Bridge is visible on clear days), then traverses the Swedish lowlands of Småland and Östergötland with their characteristic boreal forest and lake systems before descending toward Skavsta.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from LGW
LEFTGatwick's main runway 08L/26R runs roughly east-west. Departing eastbound toward Scandinavia, the aircraft climbs and turns northeast. Left side gives views over central London — the Thames, Canary Wharf towers, and the City — as the aircraft tracks north over the M25 corridor.
Landing at NYO
LEFTSkavsta airport sits southwest of Stockholm. Runway 26 approach comes in from the east heading west, meaning the aircraft tracks over Lake Vättern and the Swedish lake district. Left side on approach gives views over the forested Swedish lowlands and Lake Mälaren to the north, with glimpses of the Stockholm archipelago in the far distance on clear days.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Gatwick (LGW) to Skavsta (NYO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Stockholm. Left side captures the London cityscape on departure and the Swedish lake district on approach. The right side offers little more than open North Sea and Danish flatlands for most of the cruise, making left the clear winner for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Gatwick in London?
During takeoff from Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Gatwick's main runway 08L/26R runs roughly east-west. Departing eastbound toward Scandinavia, the aircraft climbs and turns northeast. Left side gives views over central London — the Thames, Canary Wharf towers, and the City — as the aircraft tracks north over the M25 corridor. Notable sights include: Thames river bends through London, Canary Wharf cluster, North Downs ridge, M25 orbital motorway.
What can I see when landing at Skavsta in Stockholm?
When landing at Skavsta (NYO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Skavsta airport sits southwest of Stockholm. Runway 26 approach comes in from the east heading west, meaning the aircraft tracks over Lake Vättern and the Swedish lake district. Left side on approach gives views over the forested Swedish lowlands and Lake Mälaren to the north, with glimpses of the Stockholm archipelago in the far distance on clear days. Notable sights include: Lake Vättern (large elongated lake), Swedish boreal forest patchwork, Lake Mälaren, Södermanland farmland.
How long is the flight from London to Stockholm?
The flight from Gatwick (LGW) to Skavsta (NYO) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 855 miles (1,376 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to Stockholm flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast over the Thames Estuary, crosses the southern North Sea, passes over the Danish coast near Jutland or the Danish islands, crosses the Øresund strait between Denmark and Sweden (where the Øresund Bridge is visible on clear days), then traverses the Swedish lowlands of Småland and Östergötland with their characteristic boreal forest and lake systems before descending toward Skavsta.