Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Saidu Sharif. The left side wins overall because the spectacular Swat Valley arrival on the left is the highlight of the entire journey. En route, the left side also picks up views over the Alps during the European leg, the Zagros Mountains of Iran, and the Afghan-Pakistan border ranges — all more dramatic than the right side's views over central European plains and the Arabian desert interior.

During takeoff from Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Gatwick's main runway 08R/26L means westbound departures head roughly east initially before turning. For a northeast-bound route to Pakistan, aircraft typically depart on runway 26L heading west, then turn left (south then east). Right side gives views over the Surrey Hills and the North Downs as you climb out heading east. Left side faces north toward Greater London which is also good, but the right side picks up the English Channel coastline as the aircraft banks. Notable sights include: Surrey Hills AONB, North Downs ridge, Ashdown Forest to the southeast, English Channel coast near Eastbourne.

When landing at Saidu Sharif (SDT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Saidu Sharif airport sits in the Swat Valley, and aircraft typically approach from the south or southeast given the surrounding terrain. The left side faces east toward the main Hindu Kush and Karakoram foothills, giving direct views of the dramatic snow-capped ridgelines of the Swat and Dir ranges as you descend into the valley. The right side faces west toward lower terrain. Notable sights include: Swat Valley floor and Swat River, Hindu Kush foothills to the north, snow-capped ridges of the Dir and Swat ranges, terraced agricultural fields on valley slopes.

The flight from Gatwick (LGW) to Saidu Sharif (SDT) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours, though this route has no regular direct service and would typically involve a stop in Islamabad or Peshawar.

Alps over Switzerland and Austria, Adriatic Sea coast, Aegean Sea and Turkey, Zagros Mountains of western Iran, central Iranian plateau, Afghan-Pakistan border ranges including the Sulaiman Range, Indus River plains approaching Pakistan