The right side wins both ends of the flight: London's skyline and the Welsh/Irish coastline on departure, then Tampa Bay and the city skyline on arrival, while the left side has no comparable landmarks at either end and the same featureless mid-Atlantic ocean in between.
Flight Path
Open North Atlantic Ocean, with the great-circle track passing well south of Newfoundland before the route curves toward the North American coast — no land is visible for several hours during this stretch.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from LGW
RIGHTClimbing out to the west from Gatwick, the right side gives a receding view of London's skyline before the route tracks northwest across the Bristol Channel and Wales, then the rugged south coast of Ireland near Cork just before the long Atlantic crossing begins. The left side only shows the flatter Sussex and Hampshire countryside with no comparable landmarks.
Landing at TPA
RIGHTWinter-season northbound landings on runway 01 bring the aircraft in from the south over Tampa Bay, putting downtown Tampa's skyline and the bay's causeways on the right side during final approach. The left side instead faces the flatter St. Petersburg suburbs and open Gulf haze, which is less distinct.
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 Tampa International (TPA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Tampa. The right side wins both ends of the flight: London's skyline and the Welsh/Irish coastline on departure, then Tampa Bay and the city skyline on arrival, while the left side has no comparable landmarks at either end and the same featureless mid-Atlantic ocean in between.
What can I see during takeoff from Gatwick in London?
During takeoff from Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Climbing out to the west from Gatwick, the right side gives a receding view of London's skyline before the route tracks northwest across the Bristol Channel and Wales, then the rugged south coast of Ireland near Cork just before the long Atlantic crossing begins. The left side only shows the flatter Sussex and Hampshire countryside with no comparable landmarks. Notable sights include: London skyline (The Shard, Canary Wharf), Bristol Channel, Brecon Beacons (Wales), County Cork coastline (Ireland).
What can I see when landing at Tampa International in Tampa?
When landing at Tampa International (TPA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Winter-season northbound landings on runway 01 bring the aircraft in from the south over Tampa Bay, putting downtown Tampa's skyline and the bay's causeways on the right side during final approach. The left side instead faces the flatter St. Petersburg suburbs and open Gulf haze, which is less distinct. Notable sights include: Hillsborough Bay, downtown Tampa skyline, Selmon Expressway causeway, Davis Islands.
How long is the flight from London to Tampa?
The flight from Gatwick (LGW) to Tampa International (TPA) takes 9h 40m.
What does the London to Tampa flight path pass over?
Open North Atlantic Ocean, with the great-circle track passing well south of Newfoundland before the route curves toward the North American coast — no land is visible for several hours during this stretch.